Significance of Public Opinion

Leontes comes up with the idea that his wife is having an affair with his best friend. While he is furious over the situation as a whole, it seems he is very concerned with what others think of him. He seems to honestly believe that people are probably feeling sorry for the stupid husband who was the last to see evidence of the affair. Leontes seems to be more concerned with the opinion of others than with his love for his wife, his marriage, or his children.