Question

macbeth (act v, scene v):
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!
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.
which statement best expresses the central theme of macbeths soliloquy?
a human existence is guided by fate rather than choice.
b ambition leads to success only when paired with courage.
c life is fleeting, repetitive, and ultimately meaningless.
d time moves quickly for those who live with guilt and ambition.

Explanation:

Macbeth's soliloquy uses imagery like "brief candle," "walking shadow," and "a tale told by an idiot" to convey that life is short ("brief"), repetitive ("tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow"), and without real meaning ("signifying nothing"). Option C aligns with these themes. Option A about fate vs. choice isn't emphasized here. Option B about ambition and courage isn't the focus. Option D about time for guilty/ambitious people is too narrow compared to the overall bleak view of life's meaninglessness in the soliloquy.

Answer:

C. Life is fleeting, repetitive, and ultimately meaningless.