The Seven Ages of Man – Chapter 2, Class 8

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.