Macbeth

Question

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

How does the analogy in the excerpt help develop the passages meaning

A. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting
B. It hints that some lives are better lived than others
C. It suggests that life is more valuable when you have friends
D. It gives a clue to how the characters wanted to live their lives

Answer 1

The analogy in the excerpt emphasizes the transitory and ultimately meaningless nature of life. The comparison of life to a "walking shadow" and a "poor player" suggests that our existence is brief, insignificant, and ultimately destined to be forgotten. The phrase "struts and frets his hour upon the stage" indicates that one's time in life is limited, and the conclusion that life is "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" reinforces the idea that much of what we experience is chaotic and devoid of deeper meaning.

Given this analysis, the answer that best fits the meaning developed by the analogy is:

A. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting.