This passage is an excerpt from Act V, scene V within Macbeth’s castle in Dunsinane, where Macbeth is still relying on the witches prophecies to secure him victory, but when he hears of his wife, Lady Macbeth’s death, his fears return. In this passage Macbeth is discussing the death of his wife. He believes that she should have died after the battle rather than beforehand, as he thinks later, there would be a time where he could handled and reacted to such news. By saying tomorrow creeps in this petty pace, it defines the speed of time and how since his wife has passed, time goes slowly and will continue to the end of time, which is recognized by “the last syllable of recorded time”. When the term ‘dusty death’ is said, it is a reference to the saying ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’, which is a common farewell and mantra said to the dead, in this case, Lady Macbeth. …show more content…
Shakespeare mentions dusty death, which signifies ashes, dust and dirt of the dead. Life’s but a walking shadow, a visual image creates a shadow of a man, a false sense of surrealism Macbeth then refers life, to a candle, as life only lasts a short while, and will eventually fade out. He also references life, to a poor stage play, where the actor has his or her moment to shine, and once over, is forgotten, and has no real meaning or