Macbeth Quote Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow Meaning
Introduction
William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" is one of the most famous plays in English literature. It tells the story of a Scottish nobleman named Macbeth who becomes obsessed with power and commits murder to become king. One of the most famous quotes from the play is "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow". This article will explore the meaning of this quote and its significance in the play.
The Context of the Quote
The quote "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is spoken by Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 5 of the play. At this point, Macbeth has just received news that his wife Lady Macbeth has died. He is reflecting on the futility of life and the inevitability of death. The full quote is:
"Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
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."
The Meaning of the Quote
The quote "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is a reflection on the nature of time and the meaninglessness of life. Macbeth is expressing his despair and hopelessness in the face of the inevitability of death. He sees life as a meaningless and futile pursuit, a "tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".
The repetition of the word "tomorrow" emphasizes the relentless and unceasing passage of time. Macbeth sees life as a slow and steady march towards death, with each day bringing us one step closer to the "dusty death" that awaits us all.
The Significance of the Quote in the Play
The quote "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is significant in the play because it reflects the overall theme of the play, which is the corruption of power and the destructive nature of ambition. Macbeth's obsession with power leads him to commit murder and ultimately to his downfall. The quote reflects the despair and hopelessness that Macbeth feels as he realizes the futility of his actions.
The quote also reflects the overall mood of the play, which is dark and foreboding. Shakespeare uses imagery and language to create a sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the play. The quote "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is one of the most famous examples of this dark and foreboding tone.
Conclusion
The quote "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" is one of the most famous quotes from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth". It reflects the overall theme of the play, which is the corruption of power and the destructive nature of ambition. The quote also reflects the overall mood of the play, which is dark and foreboding. It is a powerful and haunting reflection on the nature of time and the meaninglessness of life that continues to resonate with audiences today.
