Chapter 10- The Seven Ages

In this poem, life is compared with a play. Just as in a play, a man acts many parts,

so also in life, a man plays many roles. Can you think of some other comparison

for life? (For example, life could be compared with the seasons in nature, the

days of the week, the lessons in a school day). Select one of these comparisons

(or choose one of your own), and write about the similarities that life has with it.

(80-100 words)

Read the poem again and note down the metaphors and similes. Copy and complete the following chart.

Which comparison(s) do you find most interesting? Why?

And then the lover

Sighing like furnace__________.

__________all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances __________.

The seven roles that a man plays correspond to his___________.

(i) chronological age in life

(ii) desires

(iii) mental age in life

(iv) idea of a perfect life

All 'have their exits and their entrances' Exits and entrances refer to __________.

(i) Birth and death

(ii) Beginning and end of play

(iii) Coming and going of actors

(iv) The end of the Shakespearean era

All the world is a stage is an extended metaphor for-

(i)The life shown in well known plays

(ii) Seeing the well known plays

(iii) Life of well known plays

(iv) Life of man that comes to an end