PAULINA
I care not.
It is an heretic that makes the fire
Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant;
But this most cruel usage of your Queen–
Not able to produce more accusation
Than your own weak-hinged fancy–something savours
Of tyranny, and will ignoble make you,
Yea, scandalous to the world.

This passage from "The Winter's Tale" showcases Paulina's courageous confrontation with King Leontes, challenging his baseless accusations against the queen, Hermione. In asserting, "It is an heretic that makes the fire / Not she which burns in't," Paulina draws a distinction between the creator of destruction and the victim suffering its consequences. Her words condemn Leontes' irrational jealousy and the actions it incites, suggesting that his persecution stains his reputation, not Hermione's. Paulina's refusal to directly label Leontes a tyrant demonstrates her strategic use of language; she implies his tyranny while warning of the consequences of his actions. Her bravery and moral clarity contrast sharply with Leontes' descent into paranoia, highlighting the themes of truth and justice that permeate the play. Through Paulina, Shakespeare critiques the destructive power of jealousy and the societal repercussions of unchecked authority.