# Perdita — The Winter’s Tale character guide

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

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Perdita Ay

**First appearance:** 0011-act-iii-scene-iii

## Snapshot

A shepherd's daughter of startling grace, raised in Bohemia and unaware that her true parentage lies in a Sicilian court she has never seen.

## Who they are

Perdita grows up tending sheep yet speaks and carries herself like someone born to better, presiding over the sheep-shearing feast as its 'mistress' with a dignity that puzzles her rustic family. She loves Prince Florizel and dreads the moment his royal father will judge her unworthy, arguing fiercely that true worth is not a matter of blood or breeding. Her hidden identity makes her both the play's great mystery and its promise of restoration.

## In the story

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

The infant Perdita is left alone on the Bohemian coast, named by her mother's ghost, and discovered by the Shepherd.

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

Mentioned as a shepherd's daughter, now grown in grace.

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

Referenced indirectly as the shepherd's daughter of most rare note, drawing Florizel's attention.

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

Expresses fear about Polixenes' disapproval but remains devoted to Florizel.

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

Presented as Florizel's princess; her true identity as a shepherd's daughter is revealed, causing distress.

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

Discovered as Leontes' daughter; she is deeply moved by the story of her mother's death.

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

Kneels to implore her mother's blessing; she is joyfully reunited with Hermione.

## Links

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