Consider the ‘resurrection' of Hermione: Why, in your opinion, does Shakespeare decide to have Hermione hidden away for sixteen years? How effective is Hermione's re-appearance at the end of the play?

I think that Leontes' delusional conviction that his wife and best friend have become lovers causes all of the problems of the play. He abuses his authority as king, bringing ruin and eventual death on his blameless wife and son, as well as the loss of his infant daughter. He grieves for sixteen years, until his wife and daughter are miraculously restored to him. Leontes needs to have his precious people taken away from him in order to process what he has lost and get his priorities in order.