Question

How does the analogy in this excerpt from Shakespeare's Macbeth help to develop the meaning?
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
A. It suggests that life is more valuable when a person has friends.
B. It hints that some lives are better lived than others.
C. It gives a clue as to how the characters wanted to live their lives.
D. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting.

Answer 1

The analogy in the excerpt from Shakespeare's Macbeth primarily highlights the idea that life is fleeting. The comparison of life to a "walking shadow" and a "poor player" conveys the temporary and often meaningless nature of existence. The imagery of a player "strutting and fretting" suggests a brief and anxious performance, while the notion that it is "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" emphasizes that despite the noise and drama of life, it ultimately lacks a deeper significance.

Thus, the best answer is:

**D. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting.**