# Paulina — The Winter’s Tale character guide

> Paulina in The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Lady Paulina, Paulina O Hermione

**First appearance:** 0005-act-ii-scene-i

## Snapshot

Sicilia's most fearless noblewoman, who speaks truth to a tyrant king and guards a secret for sixteen winters.

## Who they are

Paulina stands alone in Leontes's court as the one voice he cannot bully into silence, challenging his slander of Hermione when lords and courtiers bow. Her loyalty is ferocious and personal: she loses a husband to the king's orders yet never stops demanding justice for her queen. When she stages a private gallery showing for Leontes and his guests, she turns patience into theater, and the play's coldest grief begins to thaw.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Visits the prison, demands to see the queen, and resolves to advocate for Hermione by showing the newborn to Leontes.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Bravely confronts Leontes, defending the queen and the infant, and rebukes his tyranny.

### [Scene II: The Trial of Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Bravely denounces Leontes as a tyrant and announces Hermione's death.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Reminds Leontes of the oracle and his lost child; opposes remarriage and secures his oath not to marry without her leave.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Described as experiencing a noble combat between joy for the oracle's fulfillment and sorrow for her husband Antigonus's death.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Orchestrates the unveiling and the miraculous revival of Hermione, guiding the reunion and urging faith.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/paulina
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters