Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow.

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Out, out. 

Take your briefcase too candle. 

Note: The candle represents life. 

As the candle of life walked out the exit a dog bit life's butt

and with a hole in its trousers life had to do its walking in the shadows. 

"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow." Act 5, scene 5, line 22. This is spoken by Macbeth after hearing of Lady Macbeth's death. 

Meaning

• "Out, out, brief candle" - Macbeth compares life to a candle that burns for a short time and is easily extinguished, symbolizing how fragile and fleeting life is. 

• "Life's but a walking shadow." - Life is meaningless and unsubstantial, like a shadow that moves but has no real substance. 

Exam Advice

• Context - Macbeth has lost everything; his wife, his sense of security, and his purpose. This speech reflects his growing despair and nihilism. 

• Theme of fate and free will - Macbeth once believed he could control his destiny, but now he sees life as empty and predetermined. 

• Metaphors - The candle represents life's fragility, and the "walking shadow" suggests insignificance and illusion. 

• Tone and mood - The speech is bleak, reflecting Macbeth's complete disillusionment.

• Contrast with earlier Macbeth - At the start Macbeth was ambitious and full of purpose, now, he sees life as pointless.