Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
William Shakespeare – Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5
2022 AD – 1606 AD
This is one of the most popular soliloquies written by William Shakespeare. There have been many explanations for the reasoning behind it in the context of the play. But I had another thought. Is it not about life?
Are we walking shadows? Perhaps. While we live, we can create, inspire and impress. When we are gone can we still? Some do. William Shakespeare lived 400 years ago and yet we still speak his words. We still try to understand his words. We engage with his words. But can we know the man just through his words? What did he desire? What was his favourite colour? Did he love to kiss gently like a butterfly or with mad passion thrown to the wind? The man is gone. His essence is no more. His shadow walks still.
Will my shadow still touch after I am gone? Will yours? Does it matter? I will not worry about what will happen after I’m gone. I would like to think that perhaps, just for a little while, I will be remembered fondly. But quite frankly at that point I probably could care less. We don’t know what waits beyond the veil. It could be a new adventure; it could be nothing. So, I intend to make my presence known here, in this world, in this adventure.
We don’t remember the individuals who built the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China or even the buildings that became our cities. These people with sweat and blood and tears built our world. We can see their legacy but we don’t remember the individuals, perhaps that’s the way it should be.
I want my sound and fury to be joyous and positive. I want to touch people with my words and nudge them with my ideas. I want to share who I am. In 100 years, no one may remember my name but if the spirit of who I was resonates somewhere, in a word, an idea, in a thought. Then I have lived well.
Butterfly Sand 
Wow! Amazing insight into life. I think bits and pieces of us will resonate with others long after we’re gone. Maybe not the bits and pieces we would have liked to be remembered by!
I can tell you this my dear friend, your sound and fury are absolutely joyous and positive and you most definitely touch us with your words and nudge us with your ideas…every day.
When that time comes, you most assuredly will have lived well. I can only hope to do half as well, and that will be quite a legacy for me!
Wishing you a relaxing, fulfilling Sunday Pam.
Ginger
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Ginger, your words humble me. You have always been such a wonderful support from the day we met here. You are someone I can count as friend and that is valuable to me. Thank you, thank you dear friend.
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There is a saying that as long as you are remembered, you have eternal life. Maybe that is all we can hope to have from this adventure.
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Immortality does exist.
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Yup.
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what a lovely and reflective post. we all want to leave a legacy of some sort behind.
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I think it is our nature
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Pamela, I am tearful. That is one of the most beautiful pieces of prose you have written! (More later..) x
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Joy what an incredibly sweet thing to say! That means a great deal to me. Thank you.
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A truly beautiful post, Miss Quiall.
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Thank you Don.
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What? With the ripples (no, waves), you make Pam you’ll be remembered forever 🤣 A great post dear lady, one of those tsunami’s of yours, never forgotten 😂❤️🙏🏽
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Thank you Mark. That is so good for my ego!
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My friend, the love that you are is ever a light for us all, wherever you are ❤️🙏🏽
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There is much to Shakespeare’s quote, and I just don’t connect with this one. It leaves me blue. Your vision is a different tale, quite wise.
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Thank you my friend. I think, from all these years ago, he speaks to a lot of people.
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Yes, he does.
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I agree with you re Shakespeare’s quote Jennie. x
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Thanks Joy.
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Beautifully said. Your ideas have a long, hopeful future ahead of them, I do believe.
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My ego would like to think so. Thank you.
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I think your spirit will live on, Pam.
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We all become Stardust.
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Your words and ruminations touch a lot of us. Prick our brains, brings smiles and sometimes tears, but always keep us thinking. And I totally agree with you about what happens after you’re gone. You won’t be here to know (I don’t think.) And if you are here for a while, (since none of us really know what transpires after that last breath) I hope you will see the people you’ve left behind thinking of you with fondness, love, and joy for having known you.
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Your words have deeply touched me. Everything I write is inspired by the people who read my words. It is truly a symbiotic relationship. Thank you for always making me think and occasionally blush!
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Writers need readers. Readers need writers. The perfect symbiosis.
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Beautifully written, Pam. There are those, and you are one of them, who will leave their mark. I imagine most of us would like to have a bit of us remain in others’ memories. Not many of us leave behind great works of art in music or words or sculptures to remind others 🙂
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You are so kind Dale. I think most of us do leave an imprint on others, we are just not aware of it.
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Yes indeed. We really see it at funerals… 😎😏
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