The Seven Ages of Man – Chapter 2, Class 8

Let’s Rewind and Rejoice

1. How is infancy, the first stage of life, described? What are the actions associated with it?
   In the poem, the first stage of life is infancy. The baby is described as helpless and small, crying and vomiting in the arms of the nurse. The poet uses the words “mewling and puking” to show how babies make soft crying sounds and often spit up milk. This stage is full of care and attention from others, as the baby cannot do anything alone. The infant depends fully on others for food, comfort, and movement. This stage shows the beginning of human life, full of innocence, weakness, and complete dependence on caregivers.
2. With which age mentioned in the extract do you identify now? Why?
   I identify with the schoolboy stage mentioned in the poem. This stage talks about a young boy going to school with a bag on his back. His face is bright and clean in the morning, but he walks slowly like a snail because he does not want to go to school. I feel this way many times too. Even though school is important, waking up early and studying every day can feel tiring. Like the schoolboy in the poem, I also carry my bag and walk to school sometimes unwillingly, wishing I could stay home and rest.
3. What are the qualities attributed to the soldier? What does he seek?
   The soldier is brave, strong, and full of energy. He has a beard like a leopard and speaks with loud and unusual words. He is quick to become angry and always ready to fight. The poet shows that the soldier values honor and is proud of his name. He is jealous about his respect and easily gets into fights to prove himself. Most importantly, the soldier seeks a short-lived reputation, called a “bubble reputation,” even if it means risking his life in war. He is ready to face danger, even standing in front of a cannon, to become famous.
4. How does the writer describe the sixth age of life? How does this age contrast with the earlier stages?
   In the sixth age, the man becomes old and weak. He wears slippers and loose clothes, and his legs become thin. He uses glasses and carries a pouch. The clothes from his younger days no longer fit him because his body has shrunk. His strong, manly voice becomes soft and high-pitched like a child’s voice. This stage is very different from earlier stages, like the soldier or justice, where the man is strong, bold, and respected. In this stage, he becomes quiet, slow, and less active. The poet shows how life slowly moves from strength and energy to weakness and silence.

A. Imagery

1. Infancy:

• Imagery: “Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms”
• Explanation: The baby is shown crying softly like a kitten and vomiting milk, being held by a nurse. This image shows helplessness, dependence, and complete care from others.
• Characteristics: Innocent, vulnerable, and needy

2. Schoolboy:

• Imagery: “Whining schoolboy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school.”
• Explanation: The child is clean-faced and neat but slow and unhappy about going to school. The comparison to a snail shows laziness and unwillingness.
• Characteristics: Reluctant, playful, and curious

3. Lover:

• Imagery: “Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress’ eyebrow.”
• Explanation: The lover is emotional and passionate, breathing heavily with love like a hot furnace and writing sad poems for his beloved’s eyebrow. This shows intense feelings and romantic foolishness.
• Characteristics: Emotional, romantic, and dreamy.

4. Soldier:

• Imagery: “Bearded like the pard, full of strange oaths, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon’s mouth.”
• Explanation: The soldier has a wild beard like a leopard, uses strong language, and is quick to fight. The “bubble reputation” suggests short-lived fame. He’s brave but reckless.
• Characteristics: Brave, aggressive, and ambitious

5. Justice:

• Imagery: “In fair round belly with good capon lined, with eyes severe and beard of formal cut”
• Explanation: The judge is well-fed, serious, and wise. He has a big belly from eating rich food (like capon) and a neatly trimmed beard. He speaks wisely and gives advice.
• Characteristics: Wise, respected, and authoritative.

6. Old Age (Pantaloon):

• Imagery: “Lean and slippered pantaloon, spectacles on nose and pouch on side… youthful hose, a world too wide for his shrunk shank”
• Explanation: The old man is thin, wears slippers, carries a pouch, and needs glasses. His old pants are too loose for his skinny legs. This image shows weakness and fading strength.
• Characteristics: Weak, forgetful, and slow.

7. Second Childhood (Dotage):

• Imagery: “Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything”
• Explanation: The final stage is like a second childhood—complete helplessness. The man loses his teeth, eyesight, taste, and finally all abilities. This stage ends life in silence and forgetfulness.
• Characteristics: Helpless, dependent, and forgetful.

B. Summary

Write a brief paragraph summarizing the central theme of the extract with the help of the guidelines given below.

‘The Seven Ages of Man’ written by William Shakespeare is taken from the play ‘As You Like It’. In this extract, the world is compared to a stage. The extract outlines seven stages of a man’s life, showing how he changes from birth to death. In the first stage, infancy, the baby cries and needs care, completely dependent on others. In the second stage, childhood, the schoolboy is unwilling to go to school and walks slowly with his bag. The third stage is youth, where he becomes a lover, full of emotions and sighs for his beloved. Next, in the fourth stage, he becomes a soldier, brave but quick-tempered, seeking short-lived fame. In the fifth stage, as a justice, he grows wise, well-fed, and respected, giving advice and judgments. Then comes old age, when he becomes weak, thin, and forgetful, wearing glasses and loose clothes. The last stage is like a second childhood, where he becomes helpless and loses all senses—ending life in silence.

Similes

Simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words ‘like’ or ’as’. It states that one thing is similar to another.

• “Creeping like snail” – The schoolboy moves slowly and unwillingly, just like a snail.
• “Sighing like furnace” – The lover breathes heavy sighs, compared to the hot air of a furnace.
• “Bearded like the pard” – The soldier’s beard is compared to a leopard’s (pard = leopard), showing its wild and rough nature.

Metaphors

Metaphor is a poetic device that states implicit comparisons without the use of ‘like’ or ‘as.’ It asserts that two things are identical rather than just similar.

1. “All the world’s a stage”
   – The world is compared to a theatrical stage.
2. “And all the men and women merely players”
   – People are described as actors playing roles.
3. “They have their exits and their entrances”
   – Life events (birth and death) are described as entering and exiting a stage.
4. “One man in his time plays many parts”
   – A person’s life stages are compared to different acting roles.
5. “His acts being seven ages”
   – Life is metaphorically structured like a play with seven acts.
6. “Seeking the bubble reputation”
   – Reputation is compared to a bubble, showing its short-lived and fragile nature.
7. “Second childishness”
   – Old age is directly compared to a second period of childhood.
8. “Mere oblivion”
   – Death or the final stage of life is called a state of total forgetfulness, implying emptiness and loss of identity.

Textual Analysis

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.

1. Where does the infant stay?
   The infant stays in the nurse’s arms.
2. What sound does the infant make?
   The infant cries and makes small noises.
3. Who takes care of the infant?
   The nurse or parents take care of the infant.
4. How does the infant show discomfort?
   The infant cries loudly and moves a lot.
5. What does “mewling and puking” mean?
   It means the baby cries and vomits.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.

1. How does the schoolboy feel about school?
   He feels unhappy and moves slowly.
2. What does he carry with him?
   He carries a satchel (school bag).
3. How does his face look in the morning?
   His face looks fresh and bright.
4. How does he walk to school?
   He walks slowly like a snail.
5. Why is the schoolboy moving like a snail?
   The schoolboy is moving like a snail because he does not want to go to school.
6. What does “whining” mean?
   Complaining or making a sad sound.

And then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow.

1. How does the lover feel?
   He feels romantic and emotional.
2. What does the lover do for his love?
   He writes poems and sings songs.
3. What is a “woeful ballad”?
   A sad song about love.
4. Who is the lover writing for?
   His beloved or mistress.
5. What does “sighing like a furnace” mean?
   Breathing deeply with emotion.
6. How does the lover express his emotions?
   Through words, songs, and sighs.
7. Why does the lover feel sad?
   Because love can be difficult.
8. What is special about the lover’s song?
   It is full of deep feelings.
9. How does love change a person?
   It makes them emotional and passionate.

Then a soldier, full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation, even in the cannon’s mouth.

1. How does the soldier look?
   Strong and brave with a beard.
2. What does the soldier fight for?
   Honor and reputation.
3. Why does the soldier use strong words?
   To show bravery and determination.
4. What does “seeking the bubble reputation” mean?
   It means wanting fame, even if it is short-lived.
5. How does the soldier show bravery?
   By fighting in wars.
6. Why does the soldier take risks?
   Because he wants honor and victory.
7. What does the soldier value the most?
   His reputation and courage.
8. What does “jealous in honor” mean?
   Protective of his respect and pride.
9. How does the soldier deal with danger?
   The soldier faces danger with courage.
10. What is the soldier’s biggest goal?
    The soldier’s biggest goal is to be remembered as a hero.

And then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances.

1. What does the justice look like?
   He has a round belly and a serious face.
2. How does the justice speak?
   He speaks wisely and calmly.
3. What does “wise saws” mean?
   Old sayings full of wisdom.
4. What does the justice enjoy?
   Giving advice and making decisions.
5. Why is the justice respected?
   Because he is experienced and fair.
6. What kind of knowledge does he have?
   Life lessons and practical wisdom.
7. What makes the justice different from the soldier?
   He is calm and wise, not quick to fight.
8. Why does the justice use examples?
   To explain his thoughts clearly.
9. How does the justice make decisions?
   Based on experience and wisdom.
10. What does the justice teach others?
    To think carefully and act wisely.

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

1. How does the old man look?
   The old man is thin, weak, and wears slippers.
2. What happens to his legs?
   They become thin and weak.
3. Why does he wear spectacles?
   Because his eyesight is poor.
4. What does “shrunk shank” mean?
   Thin, weak legs.
5. Why does his voice change?
   It becomes soft like a child’s.
6. How does old age affect movement?
   He moves slowly and carefully.
7. What is different about his clothing?
   It is loose and old-fashioned.

Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

1. What does the man lose in the final stage?
   His teeth, eyes, taste, and memory.
2. Why is it called “second childhood”?
   Because he becomes weak like a baby and has to depend on others for daily activities.
3. What happens to his teeth?
   His teeth fall out.
4. What does “sans everything” mean?
   Sans means “without” in French. It means that the old man is almost without anything—no senses or strength.
5. How does memory change?
   He starts to forget things.
6. What does “mere oblivion” mean?
   Almost forgotten, losing awareness.
7. How does this stage compare to infancy?
   He is helpless again, like a baby.

More Questions

1. What is the central theme of the poem Seven Ages?
   The poem talks about how human life is like a play on a stage. Every person goes through different stages of life, just like an actor playing different roles in a play. The poem shows how life starts with birth, goes through youth and adulthood, and ends with old age.
2. Who is the speaker in the poem, and what is their perspective?
   The speaker is a character named Jaques from Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. He talks about life in a serious way, saying that every person goes through the same cycle of growing up, working, getting old, and finally becoming weak again. He sees life as something that happens over and over for everyone.
3. How does the title Seven Ages relate to the poem’s content?
   The title refers to the seven stages of life that Shakespeare describes. Each person starts as a baby and then grows into a schoolboy, a young lover, a soldier, a wise man, an old man, and finally someone who becomes weak again, just like a baby. The title helps us understand that life follows this pattern.
4. What is the tone of the poem?
   The tone of the poem is serious and thoughtful. It makes people think about how short life is and how everyone has to go through the same stages. It is not a happy or joyful poem, but rather one that makes people reflect on life.
5. What emotions are evoked in the reader through this poem?
   The poem makes people feel many emotions. Some parts make us think about happy times, like love and success. Other parts make us feel sad because they talk about aging and losing strength. Overall, the poem makes us reflect on life’s journey.
6. How does Shakespeare use similes and metaphors in the poem?
   Shakespeare uses comparisons to explain each stage of life. For example, he says a baby “mewls and pukes,” comparing it to a helpless little creature. He also compares life to a play, saying that people are like actors who perform their roles until their time is over.
7. Where does Shakespeare use personification in the poem?
   Shakespeare gives human qualities to the world by saying that life is like a stage. This means that life is like a big performance, and every person takes part in it by playing their role.
8. How does the poem use imagery to depict different stages of life?
   The poem uses strong pictures in words to help us imagine each stage. For example, he describes a young schoolboy who walks to school unwillingly, a brave soldier ready to fight, and an old man who becomes weak. These pictures help us see how life changes over time.
9. What role does rhyme and rhythm play in the poem?
   The poem does not have a fixed rhyme scheme, but its rhythm makes the words flow smoothly. This helps make each stage feel natural and easy to understand.
10. What symbols appear in the poem, and what do they represent?
    The biggest symbol in the poem is the “stage,” which represents life itself. Shakespeare also uses objects like swords, glasses, and clothes to represent different life stages—youth, adulthood, and old age.
11. What does the phrase “mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms” signify?
    This phrase describes a newborn baby. “Mewling” means crying softly, like a kitten, and “puking” means vomiting. The words show that babies are weak and completely dependent on others.
12. What is the poet’s purpose in structuring life into seven stages?
    Shakespeare wants people to understand how life follows a pattern. Everyone moves through these seven stages, and no one can escape aging. He is showing that life is like a journey that every person must travel.
13. How does Shakespeare’s depiction of aging compare to other literary works?
    Many other poems talk about life in different ways. Some poets focus on happy moments, while others, like Shakespeare, show how life slowly leads to old age and weakness. His view is more serious and reflective.
14. How does the historical and cultural context of Shakespeare’s time influence the poem?
    In Shakespeare’s time, life was very structured. People had clear roles based on age and responsibilities. The poem reflects this idea, showing how people move from childhood to adulthood to old age in an expected way.
15. What is the significance of the final stage in the poem?
    The last stage, called “second childishness and mere oblivion,” is very important. It shows that old age can make a person weak, just like a baby. At the end of life, people lose their strength and memory, completing the cycle of life.

Poetic Devices

Similes (Comparison using “like” or “as”)

1. “Creeping like snail” – The schoolboy walks to school slowly, just like a snail.
2. “Sighing like furnace” – The lover sighs deeply, as if he were a burning furnace.
3. “Bearded like the pard” – The soldier’s beard is compared to that of a leopard.
4. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel” – The soldier is compared to someone who is easily angered, like a fire.
5. “Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms” – The baby is described like a helpless creature that cries and vomits.

Metaphors (Direct comparison without “like” or “as”)

1. “All the world’s a stage” – Life is compared to a stage where people play different roles.
2. “And all the men and women merely players” – Humans are seen as actors performing their parts in life.
3. “His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide” – The old man’s clothes feel too big, showing his weakness.
4. “Even in the cannon’s mouth” – The soldier faces danger bravely, as if he were staring into the mouth of a cannon.
5. “Seeking the bubble reputation” – The soldier’s desire for fame is like chasing a fragile bubble that might pop.

Imagery (Creating vivid mental pictures)

1. “Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms” – Strong visual image of a helpless infant.
2. “With eyes severe and beard of formal cut” – A strict-looking judge with sharp eyes and a neatly trimmed beard.
3. “Even in the cannon’s mouth” – Dramatic image of a soldier facing a war zone.
4. “Lean and slippered pantaloon” – Picture of an old man wearing loose clothes and slippers, showing frailty.
5. “Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history” – A final stage in life, fading into weakness and silence.

Alliteration (Repetition of consonant sounds)

1. “Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms” – Repetition of “m” and “p” sounds.
2. “Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad” – Repetition of “s” and “w” sounds.
3. “Seeking the bubble reputation” – Repetition of “b” sounds.
4. “Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel” – Repetition of “q” sounds.
5. “Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard” – Repetition of “s” and “b” sounds.

Personification (Giving human qualities to non-human things)

1. “All the world’s a stage” – The world is treated as a stage that directs human lives.
2. “Seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon’s mouth” – Reputation is treated as something that can be chased.
3. “The sixth age shifts into the lean and slippered pantaloon” – Age is described as actively moving forward.
4. “Even in the cannon’s mouth” – The cannon is given the ability to “speak” by having a mouth.
5. “The last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history” – Life is described as a history with events, as if it were a storybook.