Macbeth said it. Discuss.

1. 63

   Glenis Rixposted 5 years ago

   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.

   replyreport
2. 94

   MizBejabbersposted 5 years ago

   My interpretation, taken out of context because I haven't read McBeth since I was in college back in the Dark Ages, is that we haven't learned from our mistakes. And that we've made plenty of them. The  reference to "tomorrows" creeping in today is our opportunities to learn, which we forego, and they become yesterday's mistakes. We are killing ourselves. The cycle repeats itself.

   replyreport
   1. 63

      Glenis Rixposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I too have applied this passage to the current situation. In normal circumstances, most of us in the affluent parts of the world think that we are in control of events that affect our lives. But it’s clear that we are not in control. Natural disasters can strike at any time from nowhere, upsetting our complacency. It seems to me that Shakespeare is saying that we are disillusioned. The future stretches ahead and we think that we have limitless time but each tomorrow brings us closer to the inevitable - eventually we will all be dust.

      replyreport
3. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   Macbeth sounds like a really cheerful kind of guy.

   replyreport
   1. 63

      Glenis Rixposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      He was depressed because his Dad had been murdered by someone who then immediately married his mother. Plus, his girlfriend drowned herself.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         He was having a bad day? Ok, that I can understand.

         replyreport
      2. 97

         jo millerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         That sounds more like a description of Hamlet than Macbeth.  They both were depressed and a little crazy, but for different reasons.

         replyreport
         1. 63

            Glenis Rixposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I think Hamlet was driven mad by murderous ambition that led to guilt and terror of revenge from beyond the grave.
            
            Macbeth was furious at the murder of his father and the rapid remarriage of his mother to the murderer. His emotions and determination for revenge drove him into depression. It has been argued by some that the madness that he displayed was faked to hide his intentions, an interpretation superbly portrayed by Mel Gibson in a film of the play.

            replyreport
4. 82

   Brenda Arledgeposted 5 years ago

   We will always remember those who have crossed our paths as we move forward from yesterday. Life moves on.  There is always another day, until we take our last breath.  We must be careful of the company we keep for foolish ones will tempt our minds with promises to great to keep.

   replyreport
5. 72

   Eurofileposted 5 years ago

   This is a great example of why Shakespeare's work has endured so well over the passage of time. He wrote with a perception that can still be apied to life now, hundreds of years later.

   replyreport
   1. 63

      Glenis Rixposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely, Liz. A man for all seasons - a posthumous accolade awarded to him by his friend and rival Ben Johnson.
      
      As well as the poetic language that is intrinsic in Shakespeare’s plays, the human dilemmas, foibles, weaknesses and strengths of his characters are eternal aspects of the human condition.
      
      The passage that I quoted above chimes, for me,  with our current situation -  the monotony felt by some as a result of being locked down.Shakespeare was saying, through Hamlet, that anyone who believes that we have total control over the circumstances of life is deluded. I imagine that most of us have now learned that lesson  - as an outcome of the coronavirus.

      replyreport