Essay On Existentialism In Macbeth

Webster's defines existentialism as a “philosophical movement centered on the analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe”, and that “Existentialists believe that there is no ultimate or absolute meaning to the universe, that we are merely specks of dust within it.” In act 5 of the play, Macbeth delivers a monologue after hearing about the death of his wife. In this time of tragedy, Macbeth states that “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” and that “Life’s but a walking shadow”, here he demonstrates existentialist beliefs and an ideology that life is insignificant, emphasizing that life is empty and irrelevant. These ideologies are also apparent when he says “Out, out, brief candle!”, where he is speaking about the short, irrelevant lives that we live. In Macbeth's

In the speech, Macbeth states that “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Macbeth compares life to a poorly told story, full of nonsense, without value or significance. After he hears the news of his wife's death, near the end of the play, Macbeth acquires a certain mentality, which is that of an existentialist, someone who believes that there is no purpose to life. This mentality is also evident immediately after Macbeth hears about the death of his wife when he says “She would have died hereafter [...] there would have been a time for such a word.” Macbeth expresses that she would have died later if not now and that the news of her death was bound to arrive someday. This existentialist ideology that Macbeth has exercised has taken a toll on his character. He has effectively become a senseless man, seeing as to his absurd reaction to the passing of his wife. Throughout the play, Macbeth's existentialist persona becomes very obvious and even more so in his “Life’s a poor player”