Leontes

Leontes is a fictional character and the king of Sicilia in William Shakespeare's play, The Winter's Tale. He is a central figure in the play's tragic first half.1

Leontes's jealousy is the catalyst for the play's dramatic events. He wrongly suspects his wife, Queen Hermione, of having an affair with his friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia. In a fit of rage, Leontes orders Polixenes's death and publicly humiliates Hermione. His actions lead to the death of their son, Mamillius, and Hermione's supposed death.1

The play then shifts to Bohemia, where Leontes's abandoned infant daughter, Perdita, is raised by a shepherd. The narrative eventually leads to reconciliation and the revelation that Hermione is alive, and Perdita is of royal birth. Autolycus, a thief and swindler, also appears in the play and plays a role in the later events.12