Brooke Martin
'Out, out, brief candle' is a famous line from Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth, spoken by the titular character in Act 5, Scene 5. The phrase is part of a soliloquy, titled 'Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow', and reflects Macbeth's profound despair and realisation of life's futility following the death of his wife, Lady Macbeth. The metaphor of a candle being snuffed out symbolises the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, marking a turning point in Macbeth's descent into nihilism as he grapples with the consequences of his actions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Macbeth |
| Act | 5 |
| Scene | 5 |
| Part of | Soliloquy |
| Theme | Mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death |
| Context | Macbeth's response to Lady Macbeth's death |
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What You'll Learn
The metaphor of the candle
Upon learning of Lady Macbeth's death, Macbeth delivers this soliloquy, reflecting on the futility of his ambitions and the emptiness they have brought. The extinguished candle represents the finite nature of life, highlighting how quickly it can fade into darkness. This imagery conveys the idea that life is like a small flame, easily snuffed out, leaving behind only darkness and silence.
The shadow cast by the candle's flame is likened to human existence, strutting and fretting upon the stage of life before disappearing into obscurity. This metaphor underscores the transience of life and the insignificance of our passions and desires in the grand scheme of existence.
Macbeth's realisation of life's fleeting nature leads him to question the purpose and meaning of his actions. He recognises that his unchecked ambition has resulted in tragedy and loss, prompting a descent into nihilism as he grapples with the consequences of his choices.
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Macbeth's realisation of life's futility
Macbeth's soliloquy, "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," is a profound expression of his realisation of life's futility. This realisation comes as a response to the news of Lady Macbeth's death, marking a turning point in the play. In this soliloquy, Macbeth articulates his disappointment and captures the state of his weary mind.
The repetition of the word "tomorrow" three times in succession underscores the monotony and insignificance of future days. Macbeth's reflection on time passing at a "petty pace" highlights the tedious and seemingly endless progression towards death. Each day becomes a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence, leading to the ultimate extinguishing of life's flame.
The image of a "brief candle" in the line, "Out, out, brief candle," is a powerful metaphor for the brevity of life. The candle, with its short-lived flame, represents the transience of human life, burning brightly for a moment only to be engulfed by the vast darkness of eternity. This image underscores the insignificance of Macbeth's ambitious pursuit of the throne in the grand scheme of things.
Macbeth continues his soliloquy by comparing life to "a poor player," an actor on the stage of Time. He recognises that individuals, like actors, "strut and fret" during their brief hour, only to fade into obscurity when their time is up. This analogy emphasises the futility of human endeavours and the delusion of grandeur that people often hold.
Furthermore, Macbeth describes life as "a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing." Here, he dismisses the grandeur associated with life, likening it to a meaningless story filled with noise and passion but ultimately devoid of significance. This realisation of life's futility is a stark contrast to the ambitious and power-hungry character we see earlier in the play.
In conclusion, Macbeth's soliloquy, with its famous phrase "Out, out, brief candle," is a poignant expression of his realisation of life's futility. Through vivid imagery and philosophical musings, Macbeth encapsulates the weariness and disillusionment that come with the recognition of mortality and the insignificance of human endeavours in the vast expanse of time and darkness.
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The insignificance of passion
In William Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth, the protagonist utters the famous words, "Out, out, brief candle!" in a soliloquy upon learning of his wife, Lady Macbeth's death. This soliloquy, known as "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," reflects Macbeth's contemplation on the fleeting nature of life and the insignificance of human existence. The phrase "Out, out, brief candle!" signifies the extinguishing of a candle flame, alluding to the transient nature of life and the abrupt end that awaits all.
The theme of passion versus responsibility is central to the play, exploring how individuals' passions can lead to their downfall and the downfall of those around them. Macbeth's passion for power and his obsessive desire to become King of Scotland consume him, clouding his judgment and driving him to commit heinous acts, including the murder of King Duncan and the slaughter of Macduff's family. His passion transforms him from a noble soldier to a traitor and a tyrant, highlighting the destructive nature of obsession.
While passion can be a powerful motivator, it can also become an individual's downfall when it eclipses their sense of responsibility. In the case of Macbeth, his passion for power and ambition lead him to disregard his morals and the lives of those around him. His desire for success and recognition becomes all-consuming, causing him to make irrational decisions and act on his darkest impulses. This loss of sanity and moral compass ultimately seal his fate.
Lady Macbeth's passion is also significant in the play. Her ambition for her husband to become king and her desire for power contribute to the orchestration of Macbeth's downfall. She fuels his ego and encourages his greed for power, becoming complicit in his destructive path. However, as the play progresses, she is unable to cope with the consequences of their actions, leading to her infamous sleepwalking scene and eventual death.
The consequences of passion are starkly portrayed in the play, demonstrating its insignificance in the face of responsibility and moral duty. As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth pursue their passions, they lose their sense of rationality and become enslaved to their desires. Their passions isolate them, and they find themselves unable to escape the web of their own making. The play serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of unchecked passion and the importance of maintaining a balance between desire and responsibility.
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The inevitability of death
In Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth', the eponymous character utters the phrase "Out, out, brief candle" in Act V, scene 5, as part of his soliloquy upon receiving news of Lady Macbeth's death. The metaphor of the brief candle captures the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, a central theme in the play.
The candle, with its brief flame, symbolises the transience of human existence. Just as the candle's flame is quickly extinguished, leaving only darkness, so too is life short-lived, ending inevitably in death. This image of darkness surrounding the brief light of life underscores the idea of life's insignificance and the futility of ambition. Macbeth, reflecting on his pursuit of power and his wife's untimely demise, recognises the pointlessness of his aspirations. He equates life to a "walking shadow", actors strutting and fretting upon the stage of life, their passions and desires amounting to nothing but hollow noise.
The soliloquy conveys Macbeth's dejection and disillusionment. He sees his life as a meaningless journey towards an inevitable end. The candle's shadow represents the fleeting nature of human existence, where our passions and desires are ultimately inconsequential. This realisation of life's brevity and insignificance weighs heavily on Macbeth, leading him to question the purpose and value of his actions.
Moreover, the phrase "Out, out, brief candle" suggests a desire for an end to existence. Macbeth, weary of life's burdens and disappointed by the emptiness of his achievements, longs for the peace of death. He acknowledges that his ambitions have led only to futility and that death awaits regardless. This recognition of mortality underscores the tragic nature of the play and the character's descent into despair.
The metaphor of the brief candle illuminates the theme of the inevitability of death in 'Macbeth'. Through this powerful imagery, Shakespeare explores the transient nature of life, the futility of ambition, and the universal journey towards our final destination in the grave. Macbeth's soliloquy serves as a poignant reminder of our mortality and the inherent meaninglessness of our fleeting existence.
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The descent into nihilism
Macbeth utters the phrase "Out, out, brief candle" in Act 5, Scene 5, in response to hearing of Lady Macbeth's death. This moment marks a turning point in the play, highlighting Macbeth's descent into nihilism as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and the emptiness they have brought him.
The phrase is part of a soliloquy, a device that allows the audience to witness Macbeth's internal struggle, profound sadness, and existential crisis in real time. The imagery of the candle represents the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, reflecting Macbeth's realisation of the futility of existence. He sees that life is very short, and the passion and ambition that drive us are ultimately meaningless in the face of death.
This turning point in the play reveals Macbeth's nihilism, which has been building throughout the play and intensifies as his doom draws near. His nihilism is not a mere pronouncement of life's meaninglessness; it is a response to the meaninglessness of the universe, creating meaning through action. Macbeth's statement that "life's but a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage" can be interpreted as Shakespeare's reminder of the illusionary nature of theatre. Macbeth, himself a player on the Elizabethan stage, questions the point of it all.
The soliloquy also serves as a powerful commentary on human existence within the framework of Shakespearean tragedy. It captures the universal human experience of grappling with life's brevity and the search for meaning in the face of inevitable death. Macbeth's descent into nihilism is a reflection of the broader themes in Shakespeare's work, exploring the fragility of human existence and the search for purpose.
Overall, Macbeth's utterance of "Out, out, brief candle" is a pivotal moment in the play, revealing the character's internal crisis and descent into nihilism. It captures the universal human struggle with existence and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
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Frequently asked questions
Act 5, Scene 5.
"Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow".
The candle symbolizes human life, with its brief light representing the fleeting nature of life and its extinguishment, death.
The phrase reflects Macbeth's profound despair and realization of the futility of his existence following the death of Lady Macbeth. It marks a turning point in the play, highlighting Macbeth's descent into nihilism as he grapples with the consequences of his actions.
The soliloquy explores themes of ambition, guilt, mortality, and the inevitability of death. It reflects Macbeth's internal struggle, existential crisis, and the tragic consequences of his unchecked ambition.
