Final answer:
Mr. Lorry asks a specter, "Who are you?" but receives no response, which adds to the mystery and fear of the situation. The lack of an answer may symbolize a confrontation with unknown fears, which is a common theme in ghostly and supernatural tales.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. Lorry asks the specter, "Who are you?" The specter does not reply to Mr. Lorry, despite repeated demands, which intensifies the sense of mystery and fear in the encounter. The absence of an answer from the spectral figure may suggest an interaction with something beyond ordinary understanding or an encounter with a ghostly presence that is unwilling or unable to communicate. This situation often symbolizes the confrontation with the unknown or the subconscious fears that lie beyond the reach of logical inquiry.
In Macbeth, Banquo questions whether the devil can speak the truth after receiving a prophecy, expressing shock and disbelief that something considered evil could provide accurate information. Macbeth's line about the Thane of Cawdor living and why he is dressed in 'borrow'd robes' symbolizes the transfer of title and power but also implies the theme of deception and appearance versus reality.
The detailed description from Lear refers to artistic choices in a theatrical production that may enhance thematic elements such as shock, horror, mood, disorder, and chaos. The dimmed lights, black backdrop, and disordered arrangement of skulls are likely deliberate choices to evoke certain emotions and underscore the play's motifs.
In the provided excerpt from LibreTexts, the somber tone and the lack of response to the protagonist's question underscore the macabre scenario of guarding a corpse from witches in Thessaly, which speaks to the themes of superstition and the supernatural.