Question

Macbeth
by William Shakespeare



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.





From Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

How does the analogy in this excerpt from Shakespeare’s Macbeth help to develop meaning?

(1 point)
Responses

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

It hints that some lives are better lived than others.
It hints that some lives are better lived than others.

It gives a clue as to how the characters wanted to live their lives.
It gives a clue as to how the characters wanted to live their lives.

It suggests that life is more valuable when a person has friends.
It suggests that life is more valuable when a person has friends.

Answer 1

It highlights the fact that life is fleeting.

The comparison of life to a brief actor’s performance ("his hour upon the stage... and then is heard no more") emphasizes life’s short, transitory nature.