What does Macbeth mean by all is but toys?

Answer 1

Oh, dude, Macbeth is just feeling all dramatic and philosophical here. He's basically saying that life is just a big ol' game, like a bunch of toys that we play with and then toss aside. So, like, don't take things too seriously, man, it's all just a big play in the end.

Answer 2

In Act V, Scene 5 of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the line "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" suggests that Macbeth views life as transient and ultimately meaningless. The term "toys" in this context refers to insignificant or trivial things that hold no real value or importance in the grand scheme of life. Macbeth's existential reflection on the futility of human existence highlights his disillusionment and despair in the face of his own impending downfall.

Answer 3

"All is but toys..." meaning the killing of King Duncan was nothing but a sick practical joke. Macbeth is explaining to the audience that killing the king is sick, unjust and cruel.

Actually, no. If you read the whole quotation (it's from Act 2 scene 3) Macbeth says "From this instant, there's nothing serious in mortality; all is but toys; renown and grace is dead; the wine of life is drawn and the mere lees is left." Macbeth is saying that with Duncan's death, renown and grace are dead, and nothing is left of importance, "there's nothing serious in mortality". The phrase "all is but toys" is not about Duncan's murder, but about the world after Duncan's murder. And that world, says Macbeth, is a world of unimportant things, (which is what "toy" meant), a world that is the heeltap which is left after the wine bottle has been emptied.