Dali and Shakespeare on Time, Life and Death

Shakespeare's Macbeth explores ideas of time, death and the meaning of life, as does Salvador Dali's painting "The Persistence of Memory." In the play, the "Tomorrow" speech is especially good at explaining Shakespeare's views on the topics. Macbeth at this point has been through so much hardship and death, he doesn't have the capacity to feel pain when he learns his wife took her life. He has already caused the deaths of many, and has been a source of corruption and horror in his kingdom. All this is too much for someone to bare without becoming cold and almost senseless. Instead of feeling great remorse and grieving, Macbeth describes the death as an inconvenience: he wishes it had happened at some other time. The literal "bending" of time is shown in Dali's masterpiece with soft, deformed clocks and timepieces. Limited time is one of the main factors that makes life meaningful, and Macbeth, who seems nearly immortal, lacks this motive to enjoy life. With so little to live for, his only purpose is to continue his rule and resist the aggression from Malcolm and Macduff. Also, he is power hungry and corrupt, and impervious to "weak" feelings. Another similarity to the painting can be explained through the title. "The Persistence of Memory" for Macbeth, and specifically memories about his horrible deeds, are what cause his madness and inhumanness. As these cruel memories add up throughout the play, Macbeth grows continuously more damaged and cold. While he harms those around him, his life deteriorates, and finally, comes to a screeching halt.