“The Seven Agesof Man”

byWilliam

Shakespeare

Theme of the poem • The poem “The Seven Ages of Man”, which

is actually an extract from Shakespeare’s delightful comedy As You Like It.

• The poem contains an amusing and classical description on human nature and behaviour which reflects Shakespeare’s deep awareness of human psychology.

• The poet makes a comparison between world & stage. – This is an extended metaphor!– He says that world is like a stage, life is like

acting & men and women are like actors. – He classifies man’s life into seven different

ages.

The Stages

– (1) Infancy – “mewling and puking”– (2) Child – “whining school boy”– (3) Youth of a Lover – “sighing like

furnace”– (4) Later Youth of a Soldier – “bearded

like the pard”– (5) Maturity and Middle Age of a Judge –

“in fair round belly”

The Stages

• Stages (cont.)– (6) Old Age – “spectacles on nose”– (7) Senility – “second childishness

• In As You Like It, Jaques is a cynic - a man who doubts the goodness and kindness of human beings.

• Explain how your reaction to the poem changes once you know Jaques’ personality.