Seven ages of man

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William Shakespeare's As You Like It contains a soliloquy in Act II, Scene 7 by the melancholy Jacques. Comparing life to a play, it goes on to catalogue the seven ages of man's life.

Shakespeare's soliloquy

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players,

They have their exits and 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.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel

And shining morning face, creeping like a snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier.

Full of strange oaths, and bearded like a pard,

Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the canon's mouth. 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;

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 towards the childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Interpretation

The man in the poem goes through these stages:

• Infancy: In this stage he is dependent on others and needs to be constantly attended to. Usually lasts from 0-2 years of age.
• Childhood: It is in this stage that he begins to go to school. He is reluctant to leave the protected environment of his home as he is still not confident enough to exercise his own discretion. Usually last from anytime between 5 and 7 to 12 years of age.
• The lover: In this stage, comparable to modern day adolescence, he is always remorseful due to some reason or other, especially the loss of love. He tries to express feelings through song or some other cultural activity. It lasts from 13-25 years of age.
• The soldier: It is in this age, comparable to modern day young adult, that he thinks less of himself and begins to think more of others. He is very easily aroused and is hot headed. He is always working towards making a reputation for himself and gaining recognition, however shortlived it may be, even at the cost of his own life. Lasts from 16-32 years old, and it is the peak age of viewing for MTV.
• The justice: In this stage, comparable to modern day adult, he has acquired wisdom through the many experiences he has had in life. He has reached a stage where he has gained prosperity and social status. He becomes very attentive of his looks and begins to enjoy the finer things of life. Starts at 25 and it drags on until about 60 years old.
• Old age: He begins to lose his charm — both physical and mental. He begins to become the brunt of others' jokes. He loses his firmness and assertiveness, and shrinks in stature and personality. He is unable to make an impact on people. Starts at 60 and goes until 85.
• Senility and death: He loses his status and he becomes a non-entity. His position changes from the central authority to the least important. He becomes dependent on others like a child and is in need of constant support. It is usually anytime after 85 years old, but sometimes it could start as late as the early to mid 90s.

See also

• Riddle of the Sphinx