The Winter's Tale

At one of the ports in Sicilia, Cleomenes and Dion, the men sent to the Oracle, return and speak vaguely of her prophecy, bringing it to the king in a sealed letter.

At her trial, Hermione is not only accused of adultery but plotting the king’s death. She defends herself and does not fear death, as she feels she has nothing left to lose. The Oracle’s sealed letter is read and states all parties but the jealous Leontes are innocent. The prophecy also states Leontes will not have an heir until his daughter is found, so he thinks it a lie, as his son is alive. Just then, news is brought of Mamillius’s death; Hermione swoons and is carried away by her ladies-in-waiting, who think her dead. Leontes thinks Apollo is angry with him and finally sees the error of his ways. Paulina berates him for being a tyrant and reveals the queen is dead. He asks to be brought to his wife and son, with whom he wants to share a grave, as he now knows they were killed by his jealousy.