# Mamillius — The Winter’s Tale character guide

> Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Exit Mamillius, Exit, Mamillius Ay, Mamillius Merry

**First appearance:** 0000-the-winter-s-tale

## Snapshot

Leontes's young son, whose whispered tale of sprites and goblins is the warmest thing in a freezing court.

## Who they are

Mamillius is the darling of Sicilia, a boy whose promise makes old men want to live and whose mother's lap is his natural throne. He offers Hermione a sad tale for winter, one of sprites and goblins told softly so the crickets cannot hear. When his father's jealousy turns the court into a place of accusation, the boy is torn from his mother's side, and the play's grief acquires a face too young to deserve it.

## Relationships

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Hermione is Mamillius' loving mother, but his death from grief over her imprisonment devastates her.

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Hermione is Mamillius' loving mother, but his death from grief over her imprisonment devastates her.

### [Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/hermione)

_family_

Hermione is Mamillius' loving mother, but his death from grief over her imprisonment devastates her.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Mentioned as a promising young prince who brings hope to the kingdom.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Innocent child whose resemblance to Leontes is questioned by his father in a moment of paranoid doubt.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Begins telling a sad winter tale to his mother but is abruptly taken away by Leontes.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Reported to be ill and declining due to the shame of his mother's alleged dishonor.

### [Scene II: The Trial of Hermione](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Reported dead from grief and fear for his mother's fate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters/mamillius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_winter_s_tale_se/characters