Speech: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
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.
Understanding Shakespeare’s “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow”
This short, yet profoundly moving, speech comes from Act 5, Scene 7 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It is a soliloquy, a character speaking their thoughts aloud, delivered by Macbeth upon hearing of his wife Lady Macbeth’s death. The speech isn’t about hope for the future, despite the repeated “tomorrow.” Instead, it is a bleak and despairing contemplation of life’s meaninglessness in the face of inevitable death. The speech resonates deeply because it taps into universal anxieties about time, purpose, and the fragility of existence. It is a cornerstone of English literature and continues to be quoted and analyzed centuries after it was written.
What is the Poem About?
At its core, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” is a lament on the futility of human ambition and the transience of life. Macbeth, once a valiant warrior driven by ambition, has reached a point of utter exhaustion and disillusionment. He’s achieved his goals and becoming king, but at a terrible cost. He’s lost everything and his peace of mind, his wife, and his sense of purpose. The speech isn’t about anticipating future events, but rather reflecting on the emptiness of the past and the bleakness of the present.
Central Idea and Key Themes
- The Futility of Life: Macbeth sees life as a pointless procession towards death.
- The Passage of Time: It emphasizes the relentless, monotonous march of time.
- Despair and Meaninglessness: A profound sense of hopelessness and lack of purpose pervades the speech.
- The Illusion of Importance: Macbeth recognizes that even the most ambitious endeavors are ultimately meaningless.
In-Depth Analysis of the Speech
Let’s explore the speech line by line, unpacking its meaning and the literary devices Shakespeare employs.
Lines 1-3: The Slow Crawl of Time
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
The repetition of “tomorrow” isn’t optimistic. Instead, it emphasizes the monotonous, relentless march of time. The word “creeps” and the phrase “petty pace” suggest a slow, agonizing progression, devoid of joy or excitement. Shakespeare isn’t talking about a hopeful future; he’s highlighting the tediousness of existence. “To the last syllable of recorded time” powerfully conveys the idea that this slow, steady progression continues until the end of everything.
Lines 4-5: Yesterday’s Fools and Dusty Death
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Here, Shakespeare presents a cynical view of the past. “All our yesterdays” – everything we’ve done, strived for – have simply led us toward death. He calls those who pursue life’s goals “fools,” suggesting that their efforts are ultimately meaningless. The image of “dusty death” is stark and unforgiving. The urgent cry, “Out, out, brief candle!” is a powerful metaphor for life itself—fragile, fleeting, and quickly extinguished.
Lines 6-7: Life as a Shadow and a Poor Player
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
Shakespeare employs an extended metaphor, comparing life to a fleeting shadow and a minor actor on a stage. A shadow has no substance and disappears quickly. A “poor player” has a limited role and exits quickly. “Struts and frets” describe the agitated and often meaningless activity that occupies our time. These images emphasize the insubstantiality and ephemerality of human existence.
Lines 8-10: A Tale Told by an Idiot
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
This is arguably the most famous and devastating line of the speech. After the brief performance, we are forgotten. The comparison to a tale told by an idiot is particularly harsh. The “sound and fury” represent the chaos and turmoil of life, but ultimately, it all amounts to “nothing.” It’s a nihilistic conclusion, suggesting that all human endeavors are devoid of meaning.
Literary and Poetic Devices
- Metaphor: Life is compared to a walking shadow, a poor player, and a tale told by an idiot.
- Repetition: The repetition of “tomorrow” emphasizes the relentless passage of time.
- Imagery: The use of vivid images like “dusty death” and “brief candle” creates a strong emotional impact.
- Allusion: The reference to a stage and player alludes to the theatrical conventions of Shakespeare’s time, highlighting the artificiality and performative nature of life.
- Symbolism: The candle symbolizes the fragility and fleeting nature of life. The stage represents the world, and we, the players, perform our roles before fading into oblivion.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds, like the “s” in “signifying nothing,” creates a musical effect and emphasizes certain words.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates a sense of flow and momentum.
Quotes for Discussion
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,
This passage encapsulates the speech’s central message: life is a fleeting, ultimately meaningless performance. It’s a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the futility of striving for lasting significance.
In conclusion, “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” is a deeply moving and profoundly pessimistic speech that continues to resonate with readers centuries after it was written. Its exploration of universal themes, masterful use of language, and evocative imagery make it a cornerstone of English literature and a timeless reflection on the human condition.