THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, William Shakespeare

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 …

…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.