What is the importance of the title The Winters Tales by William Shakespeare?

The significance of the title of the play 'The Winter's Tale' by William Shakespeare is referred to in the text in several ways. Firstly, homes in those days were barely heated, especially those of the poor. People who could afford it had a fire, but usually no more than one - so to keep warm everyone would haver to sit together around it. The longest, coldest nights were in the winter and there was no television and little entertainment other than storytelling - so winter stories had to be good - and either long or numerous to fill the lengthy evenings. It is said in 'A Winter's Tale' that 'a sad tale's best for winter' so Shakespeare offers one that is based on the Classics with myths, legends and mysterious creatures.