Shakespeare's tragedies frequently include major symbols that reveal the character's stage of internal transition from an esteemed hero to a despised villain. These plays beginning with the central character established at the top of hero cycle. It quickly becomes evident, however, that the character possesses a destructive flaw. As the plot progresses, this flaw magnifies and propels him further down the hero cycle. At last, his life is desiccated and he becomes the antithesis of …showed first 75 words of 2481 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2481 total…is still unwilling to surrender his royal position, and hence, refuses to confess. Instead, becomes a cold-blooded killer, and mindlessly slaughters innocent women and children. In killing the child, the prototype of truth and morality, he indicates that he has finally become the antithesis of a hero and completely destroyed his dignity. Like in many of his tragedies, Shakespeare use major symbols depicts the character's fall through the hero cycle into loathed and repulsive tyrant.