Tyler Brooks
In William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth', the candle is a significant symbol that appears in several contexts and takes on different meanings. One of the most notable instances is in Macbeth's soliloquy, where he compares life to a brief candle, acknowledging its fleeting nature compared to the eternity of death. This symbol of a candle also appears in Lady Macbeth's scenes, where her demand for a candle in the darkness symbolises her growing guilt and fear stemming from her involvement in the murder of King Duncan. Beyond Shakespeare's original text, artists have also used the image of a candle in artworks that connect to 'Macbeth', symbolising his short-lived reign as King of Scotland and the damaging impact it had on the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human life | The candle's flame represents the brevity of human life. |
| Disillusionment | Macbeth is disillusioned with his life, wishing for it to be snuffed out. |
| Chaos | The chaotic mind of Macbeth is reflected in the darting images of his soliloquy. |
| Passion | The passion and ambition of life are meaningless in the face of death. |
| Guilt | Lady Macbeth's demand for a candle in the darkness symbolizes her guilt and fear. |
| Power | The flame symbolizes power, which can be dangerous and lead to corruption. |
| Success | The smoke from the candle symbolizes the short-lived success of Macbeth's reign. |
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What You'll Learn
- The candle represents the shortness of human life
- The candle's flame symbolises Macbeth's short-lived success
- The candle's smoke symbolises the end of a life
- The candle represents the emptiness Macbeth feels after becoming king
- Lady Macbeth's candle symbolises her guilt and fear of the darkness she has created
The candle represents the shortness of human life
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the candle is a symbol of human life, specifically its shortness and fleeting nature. The candle's flame, brief and transient, represents the finite nature of life and the inevitability of death. This symbolism is particularly evident in the soliloquy "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow", where Macbeth reflects on the brevity of life and the futility of ambition in the face of mortality.
As the candle burns down and the flame goes out, it serves as a reminder that life is short and ultimately inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. This is reflected in Macbeth's realization that his burning ambition to become king holds little meaning when compared to the vast darkness that awaits after death. The candle, in this context, symbolizes the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitable extinguishing of life.
Furthermore, the candle also symbolizes the chaotic state of Macbeth's mind. As the flame flickers and dances, it mirrors the erratic nature of his thoughts, darting from one idea to another. The imagery of the candle's light being snuffed out reflects Macbeth's desire for an end to his tumultuous life, highlighting the theme of disillusionment and the recognition of life's inherent meaninglessness.
The candle's presence in Lady Macbeth's scenes also adds depth to the symbolism. As her hallucinations worsen, she demands to have a candle with her constantly, revealing her fear of the darkness that mirrors her guilt. The contrast between the light of the candle and the darkness she seeks to escape symbolizes the internal turmoil and the weight of her actions.
In addition, the colour red is also associated with the candle in some interpretations, symbolizing the blood-stained hands of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after the murder of King Duncan. The redness of the candle serves as a visual reminder of their guilt and the violent nature of their actions, further emphasizing the fleeting nature of their power and success.
Through the symbolism of the candle, Shakespeare masterfully conveys the themes of mortality, ambition, and the fragility of human life. The candle's brief light serves as a poignant reminder of the transience of power and the ultimate insignificance of earthly pursuits in the face of death.
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The candle's flame symbolises Macbeth's short-lived success
In Macbeth, a candle's flame symbolises many things, including human life, passion, and success. In this play, Shakespeare uses symbols to represent deeper meanings and to add emotion to the story.
The candle's flame, in particular, can be seen to symbolise Macbeth's short-lived success. In a soliloquy, Macbeth reflects on his life and the emptiness of his ambitious pursuit of the throne. He compares life to a "brief candle", burning down and then being extinguished, leaving only darkness. This imagery suggests that Macbeth's success and power, like a candle flame, are fleeting.
The redness of the candle in some interpretations further emphasises the brief nature of Macbeth's reign. The red symbolises the blood on Lady Macbeth's hands after the murder of King Duncan, an event that haunted her for her short remaining life. The candle's flame, in this interpretation, represents not only the shortness of Macbeth's reign but also the guilt and consequences that overshadowed it.
Furthermore, the beauty of the candle's light symbolises the allure of power. Macbeth's rise to the throne is portrayed as a dangerous flame that, if not carefully monitored, could burn down a house, similar to how his reign damages Scotland. This interpretation highlights the idea that power, like a flame, can be alluring but also destructive if not properly controlled.
Overall, the candle's flame serves as a powerful symbol of Macbeth's short-lived success, the consequences of his actions, and the fleeting nature of power.
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The candle's smoke symbolises the end of a life
In Macbeth, candles are used to symbolise human life, with the burning ambition to become king being meaningless in the context of the vast stretch of darkness beyond it. The candle's flame represents life, while the smoke symbolises the end of a life.
As the candle burns down, the flame goes out, leaving complete darkness. This reflects the brief nature of life and the inevitable approach of death. Macbeth's life, in particular, is likened to a candle that is almost burnt down, with his desire for his remaining life to be snuffed out.
The colour red is also associated with the candle in some interpretations, symbolising Lady Macbeth's blood-stained hands after the murder of King Duncan. This interpretation connects the candle to Lady Macbeth's guilt and her inability to escape her conscience, even as she sleepwalks and hallucinates.
The candle's smoke symbolising the end of a life can be seen as a broader metaphor for the transience of power and success. Just as smoke rises and dissipates, so too does Macbeth's short-lived reign as King of Scotland come to an end. The smoke may also represent the damaging impact of his rule on the people and the land, with his power leading to corruption and negative consequences.
Overall, the candle in Macbeth serves as a powerful symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the futility of ambition in the face of death. The smoke rising from the candle underscores the transience of life and the ultimate conclusion of mortality.
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The candle represents the emptiness Macbeth feels after becoming king
In Macbeth, candles are used as a symbol of human life, specifically the briefness and fragility of life. The phrase "out, out, brief candle" is part of a famous soliloquy by Macbeth, in which he reflects on the emptiness of his life and the futility of his actions after becoming king.
Macbeth's pursuit of his burning ambition to become king ultimately leads him to a place of disillusionment and disappointment. He realizes that life is short, like the brief burning of a candle, and that his passion and compulsion to occupy the throne were meaningless. The candle, in this context, represents the fleeting nature of Macbeth's success and power.
The image of the candle also casts shadows, which symbolize the emptiness Macbeth feels. Just as actors strut and fret on stage, expressing great passion that lasts only for the duration of the performance, Macbeth's passion for power is revealed to be hollow and inconsequential. His life, once filled with burning ambition, now feels empty and devoid of meaning.
The redness of the candle in some interpretations symbolizes the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, a constant reminder of their guilt and the violent means by which they attained power. Lady Macbeth, in particular, is haunted by her guilt, and her demand to always have a candle with her in the darkness reveals her fear of the darkness she has created.
Through the symbolism of the candle, Shakespeare portrays the tragic descent of Macbeth, highlighting the emptiness and disillusionment that follow his ambitious rise to power.
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Lady Macbeth's candle symbolises her guilt and fear of the darkness she has created
In Macbeth, candles are used as a symbol of life, success, power, and beauty. They also represent the shortness of life and the fleeting nature of power. The play explores the darkness that engulfs Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they descend into guilt and disillusionment following their murderous acts.
The use of the candle as a symbol is particularly poignant given the overall darkness of the play, with many scenes set at night or obscured by mist and bad weather. Lady Macbeth's insistence on carrying a candle highlights her growing fear of the darkness, both literal and metaphorical. It is as if she is trying to hold onto the fleeting light of the candle, which represents her dwindling grip on sanity and her attempts to escape the consequences of her actions.
Furthermore, the candle's flame can be interpreted as a symbol of power. Lady Macbeth's power over her husband and her influence over the throne are short-lived, much like the brief life of a candle's flame. The redness of the candlestick may also symbolise the blood on her hands from King Duncan's murder, a reminder of her guilt that haunts her until her death.
As Lady Macbeth's guilt intensifies, she tries to wash her hands of the symbolic blood, exclaiming, "Out, damned spot! Out, I say! ... who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him" (5.1.25-28). The candle, which provides light in the darkness, becomes a stark reminder of her crimes, illuminating her descent into madness and the darkness of her own creation.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle in Macbeth symbolizes human life. The briefness of the candle's light, like life, is contrasted with the eternity of the night that follows—representing death.
The candle is referenced in the famous soliloquy, "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow", where Macbeth reflects on the futility of his life and his pursuit of power.
In the soliloquy, Macbeth laments that life is short, and his ambitions are meaningless in the context of death. The candle's flame going out represents the end of his short-lived success and the onset of death.
Yes, the candle can also symbolize the beauty and danger of power. The flame's beauty represents the allure of power, while its potential to burn out of control mirrors how power can lead to corruption and destruction, as seen in Macbeth's reign.
