Question 1: What is the overall tone of Macbeth's soliloquy, and what words or phrases reveal this tone?

Answer: The tone is nihilistic and despairing, revealed by phrases like 'dusty death,' 'life's but a walking shadow,' and 'tale told by an idiot,' which convey futility and hopelessness.

Question 2: Identify and explain the use of any metaphor in the excerpt.

Answer: The metaphor 'Life's but a walking shadow' compares life to a fleeting, insubstantial shadow, emphasizing its fleeting and insubstantial nature.

Question 3: What does the phrase 'brief candle' symbolize in the context of this soliloquy?

Answer: It symbolizes the brevity and fragility of life.

Question 4: Which literary device is used in the phrase 'tale told by an idiot,' and what is its effect?

Answer: The device is a metaphor, suggesting life is a meaningless or chaotic story, emphasizing despair.

Question 5: How does Shakespeare use repetition in this soliloquy, and what purpose does it serve?

Answer: Repetition of 'tomorrow' emphasizes the endless, monotonous passage of time and the inevitability of death.

Question 6: Compare Macbeth's view of life in this soliloquy to a common theme in modern fiction.

Answer: Macbeth's nihilistic perspective on life's futility can be compared to modern fiction themes of existential despair and questioning purpose, as seen in characters who grapple with meaning in a chaotic world.

Question 7: Identify a volta (shift) in Macbeth’s tone or thought within the passage.

Answer: The shift occurs when Macbeth moves from contemplating the relentless march of time to expressing the futility of life, culminating in the metaphor of life as a meaningless tale.

Question 8: Create your own modern poetic reflection inspired by Macbeth’s soliloquy. Use at least two metaphors.

Answer: Open-ended; student creates a poem reflecting on life's fleeting nature, employing metaphors such as 'life is a fleeting shadow' or 'time is a thief in the night.'