Macbeth's famous soliloquy should not be interpreted as an
expression of Shakespeare's personal view of life and death; it expresses the
character's feelings as he nears the end of his own life. Macbeth's sense of futility is
overwhelming, certainly, as he sees life as "[S]ignifying
nothing."
Shakespeare, however, depicts life and death
through other characters, as well, with far different expressions of feelings and
philosophies. For some, life is seen as an opportunity to act with honor and to die for
a good cause. For instance, after Macbeth has been defeated, Siward receives word from
Ross that Young Siward, his beloved son, has been killed in battle, standing his ground
and dying "like a man." Young Siward's wounds were "on the front," indicating that he
had faced death and fought with courage. Siward takes comfort in his son's bravery and
sacrifice:
Why then, God's soldier be
he!
Had I as many sons as I have
hairs,
I would not wish them to a fairer
death:
And so his knell is
knolled.
Siward's
view of life and death is quite different from Macbeth's. His son, now "God's soldier,"
had lived and died with honor; his life and death were not without
meaning.
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