Read the passage. macbeth. … all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. out, out, brief candle! 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. what is the main idea of this famous speech from act v of the tragedy of macbeth by william shakespeare? macbeth is gathering his strength for the battle that is to come. macbeth is realizing that all of his striving for power has been for nothing. macbeth is expressing concern about the upcoming battle. macbeth is refusing to accept the idea of his wife’s death.