The Origin of "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"
The line "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" comes from William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. It is not a standalone poem or a modern lyric but a direct quotation spoken by Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 5. In the scene, Macbeth learns of his wife’s death and reflects on the emptiness of life, delivering one of Shakespeare’s most famous meditations on time, ambition, and futility.
Who Spoke the Line in Macbeth
Macbeth himself delivers the famous sequence, beginning "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," during his conversation with Lady Macbeth’s death. The speech moves from a sense of resigned despair to a famous nihilistic conclusion, "signifying nothing." The context is the aftermath of the castle’s siege, with Macbeth facing the inevitability of defeat and the meaninglessness he perceives in his pursued power.
Theme and Context in the Play
- Ambition and Overreach: Macbeth’s rise and fall illustrate the dangers of unchecked ambition.
- Time and Mortality: The repetition of "tomorrow" evokes the relentless yet meaningless passage of time.
- Existential Despair: The speech captures Macbeth’s realization that his actions have led to futility.
Authorship: William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is credited as the sole author of the play Macbeth, which was likely first performed in the early 1600s for King James I. The line is one of many that demonstrate Shakespeare’s profound understanding of human nature, politics, and psychology. Scholarly consensus attributes the work definitively to Shakespeare, with no credible alternate authorship claims for this text.
Notable Details and Usage Over Time
Over centuries, the phrase has been quoted, paraphrased, and referenced across literature, music, film, and politics. Its repetition of "tomorrow" has made it a shorthand for procrastination, fatalism, or the illusion of progress. While often stripped of its original context, the line remains powerful because it captures a universal experience of time slipping through our grasp.
Modern Interpretations and Cultural References
Today, the phrase appears in speeches, song lyrics, and social commentary, often detached from its tragic roots in Macbeth. Politicians, artists, and writers invoke it to comment on cycles of delay, historical repetition, or personal regrets. Understanding its origin enriches these references, reminding audiences that the line is fundamentally about the cost of misplaced ambition.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Author | William Shakespeare | Primary historical record |
| Work | Macbeth | First Folio (1623) and Quarto texts |
| Scene | Act 5, Scene 5 | Dramatic context: Macbeth after Lady Macbeth’s death |
| Line | "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" | Direct quotation |
| Original Period | Early 17th century (c. 1606) | Scholarly dating of the play |
Summary
The question "who wrote tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" has a clear answer: William Shakespeare. The line is part of Macbeth’s existential speech in Act 5, Scene 5, reflecting on time, ambition, and futility. Its enduring resonance lies in how it captures a universal human experience, making it one of the most quoted passages in English literature.
Further Reading and References
- Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Act 5, Scene 5.
- First Folio (1623) — earliest authoritative printed text.
- Modern critical editions (Arden, Folger) for line commentary.
Tags
Shakespeare, Macbeth, Literary Quotes, Authorship, English Literature