Death In Macbeth

Death is the main recurring theme throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth and is an important element for the play. Several characters share their opinions on death throughout the play regarding how much significance and meaning a death holds. Malcolm and Siward share their thoughts later in the play that how a person dies holds significant meaning to his or her life as well as his or her afterlife. Macbeth, however, believes that death and life are both meaningless and that how you die holds no significance. The theme of death is emphasized by the Thane of Cawdor’s final words, Malcolm’s and Siward’s opinions, and Macbeth’s final soliloquy. The theme of death in Shakespeare’s Macbeth is first introduced in 1.4, when the Thane of Cawdor confesses

This soliloquy is delivered in 5.5. In it he says, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player/ That struts and frets his hour upon stage/ And then is heard from no more. It is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,/ Signifying nothing” (92). Macbeth believes that death is merely the last act of a bad play full of drama and tragedy. This supports the idea that Macbeth’s death contrasts greatly with the original Thane of Cawdor’s death because just before the Thane of Cawdor’s death, he repents his sins and asks for forgiveness for breaking the Great Chain of Being. Macbeth, however, is unapologetic and refuses to acknowledge the existence of the Great Chain of Being. Macbeth’s ambition overrides his loyalty to the Great Chain of Being, which is shown not only by his life, but also in his death. Macbeth’s carelessness is further supported by the fact that he “was trying to believe that life was nothing” (Arthos “The Naive Imagination”). Macbeth may only want to believe that life is meaningless in order to avoid the idea of his afterlife. Due to all of his sins, his afterlife is bound to be Hell. Therefore, he may only be acting as though he doesn’t care so that he doesn’t have to face the reality of burning for all of