Comment on Macbeth's reaction to his wife's death.

In Act5 Sc5 of Macbeth,by the greatest tragedian William Shakespeare, when Macbeth hears the news of his wife's death, who previously was 'his dearest love', his 'dearest partner of greatness', his only comment is that, "she would have died some time or the other, and so it does not matter if her death has taken place now."

       Then Macbeth reflects on the futility of life.He says that man is nothing but a fool and each day that is past is like a candle. Again, he shows that man is a miserable or unfortunate actor who walks proudly on the stage and expresses 'struts and frets'. Life is like a story told by an idiot or a lunatic full of sensational incidents and raging passions but having no meaning.

          This shows Macbeth's complete indifference to life and his wife's death. After hearing this news, he philosophises on life. Macbeth is now so hardened as to be incapable of any feeling. Actually, his heart is benumbed. His sense of despair is well-revealed in his reaction to Lady Macbeth's death.