Leontes urges Polixenes to extend his stay, but Polixenes declines and expresses a desire to return to his own kingdom. Hermione tries to convince Polixenes to stay longer, but he remains resolute.

Leontes begins to suspect that Hermione and Polixenes are having an affair, despite their protests of innocence. He becomes increasingly jealous and irrational, even accusing his own son of being illegitimate.

Hermione is shocked and hurt by Leontes' accusations, and Polixenes decides to leave immediately. Leontes orders his guards to arrest Hermione and puts her on trial for infidelity and treason.

The scene ends with the implication that Hermione's fate may be dire, as Leontes seems determined to prove her guilt and punish her accordingly.

Hermione uses her charm to persuade Polixenes to stay, but Leontes becomes increasingly jealous of their relationship and begins to suspect that Hermione has been unfaithful to him. He orders his servant, Camillo, to poison Polixenes, but Camillo instead warns Polixenes and the two flee Sicilia together.

Leontes then turns his wrath on Hermione, accusing her of adultery and demanding that she be put on trial. Despite Hermione's pleas of innocence, Leontes remains convinced of her guilt and orders her to be imprisoned.

The scene ends with Leontes' servant, Antigonus, being sent to abandon Hermione's newborn baby in a distant land. The tension and conflict in this scene sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold throughout the rest of the play.

Despite his reservations, Camillo agrees to try to persuade Polixenes to stay. He suggests that they go for a walk in the countryside, where they can enjoy the beauty of nature and talk in private. Polixenes agrees, and they set off together.

As they walk, Camillo becomes more and more anxious about his mission. He finally admits to Polixenes that Leontes has asked him to convince Polixenes to stay, but he insists that he is only doing so because he cares about both kings. Polixenes is angry and hurt by this revelation, and he accuses Camillo of betraying his trust.

Despite this setback, Polixenes agrees to stay a little longer. He and Camillo continue their walk, but their conversation is strained and uncomfortable. Camillo is consumed with guilt and regret, and Polixenes is angry and suspicious.

The scene ends with both men feeling uneasy and uncertain about the future. Polixenes is unsure whether he can trust Camillo, and Camillo is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his duty to his king. The tension between the two men sets the stage for the rest of the play, which will explore themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption.

As they continue talking, Polixenes becomes increasingly interested in Perdita and her background. She tells him that she was found as a baby and raised by a shepherd, but she doesn't know who her real parents are. Polixenes is skeptical of her story but seems to be charmed by her nonetheless.

Just as their conversation is getting more personal, the shepherd, who raised Perdita, enters the scene. He is surprised to see the King there and quickly becomes nervous. Polixenes asks the shepherd about Perdita's background, and the shepherd tells him that he found her as a baby and has raised her as his own daughter.

Polixenes is angry that the shepherd has kept Perdita's true identity a secret and accuses him of being part of a plot to overthrow him. The shepherd denies any wrongdoing and begs for forgiveness, but Polixenes remains unconvinced.

As the scene ends, Perdita is left alone, reflecting on the strange turn of events. She wonders why the King is so interested in her and what her true identity might be.

As Autolycus continues to sell his wares, he notices the shepherd's son has a flute. He convinces the boy to trade the flute for a more valuable item, a ballad. The shepherd is angry when he realizes what has happened, but Autolycus manages to smooth things over and makes another sale.

After Autolycus leaves, the shepherd and his son discuss the trade they just made, with the boy feeling guilty for giving up his flute. The shepherd tells his son that he should not worry, as he can always make a new one from a reed in the field.

The scene ends with the entrance of Polixenes, the King of Bohemia, disguised as a shepherd. He greets the shepherd and his son, and they invite him to stay with them for the night.

During the trial, Hermione is accused of having an affair with Polixenes, the King of Bohemia, and plotting to kill Leontes. However, when asked to provide evidence, Leontes' advisor Camillo testifies that there is no basis for the accusations and that Hermione is innocent. Leontes, realizing his mistake, begs for forgiveness and asks Hermione for a chance to make amends.

Paulina, who has been a staunch defender of Hermione throughout the trial, presents a statue of Hermione to Leontes, which comes to life and reveals that she has been innocent all along. The statue also introduces Leontes to their daughter, who has been alive and well the entire time. Leontes is overcome with emotion and is reunited with his wife and daughter, while Paulina chides him for his unfounded accusations and lack of faith.

As the trial proceeds, the tension in the courtroom grows. The King is visibly upset and struggles to maintain his composure. The witnesses are called to the stand and give conflicting testimonies, further complicating the case. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Leontes remains adamant in his accusations and demands that the Queen be punished for her alleged crimes.

In the end, the King is forced to make a difficult decision. He cannot ignore the evidence that has been presented, but he also cannot bear the thought of losing his wife. After much deliberation, he decides to banish the Queen from his kingdom, rather than condemn her to death. The Queen accepts her fate, but not before proclaiming her innocence one last time. The scene ends with the Queen departing, leaving behind a devastated King and a troubled court.

Several witnesses are called to testify, including Antigonus, a lord who claims to have witnessed Hermione's infidelity. However, when questioned by Hermione's defense counsel, Paulina, Antigonus admits that he did not see anything and was merely repeating rumors. Leontes is still unconvinced and orders that the newborn baby be taken away and left in a desolate place to die.

After the court adjourns, Paulina visits Hermione in her prison cell and reveals that she has a statue of Hermione made in her likeness. Paulina tells Hermione that the statue will be put on display in the court and that it will prove her innocence. Hermione is doubtful, but Paulina insists that Leontes will be unable to deny the statue's resemblance to her.

Act 4, Scene 1 is a pivotal moment in the play, as it marks the climax of Leontes' jealousy and paranoia. The trial scene is tense and dramatic, with the audience unsure of Hermione's fate. The introduction of the statue adds an element of mystery and intrigue, leaving the audience wondering how Leontes will react to seeing it. Overall, Act 4, Scene 1 sets the stage for the play's resolution, as Leontes' actions have caused him to lose everything he once held dear, and he must seek redemption and forgiveness.