Question

macbeth by william shakespeare
lifes 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.
use the passage to answer the question.
how does the analogy in this excerpt from shakespeares macbeth help to develop meaning?
(1 point)
it suggests that life is more valuable when a person has friends.
it gives a clue as to how the characters wanted to live their lives.
it hints that some lives are better lived than others.
it highlights the fact that life is fleeting.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the analogy: The excerpt compares life to a "walking shadow", a "poor player" who is on stage for an hour and then gone, and a "tale told by an idiot".
2. Evaluate each option:

• The first option about friends is not supported by the analogy.
• The second option about how characters wanted to live is irrelevant as the analogy is about life's nature, not character desires.
• The third option about some lives being better is not conveyed; the analogy focuses on life's transience, not quality comparisons.
• The fourth option: The "walking shadow", the player's brief time on stage, and the meaningless tale all emphasize that life is short and fleeting (fleeting means passing quickly).

Answer:

D. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting.