how does the poet compare mans life in different stage as given in seven ages

Widely acclaimed as a meditative poem, the Seven Ages by William Shakespeare captures the reality that a human being undergoes from birth to death. The poem mirrors the different stages in the life of a man and tries to universalise the feelings, moods and aspirations of human beings vis-a-vis the different stages of life. Replete with similes and metaphors, the poem shows Shakespeare's master craftsmanship as a poet other than a playwright.

The poem opens with a profound observation loaded with meaning on the nature of the world we live in. The poet compares this world to a stage and men and women to the actors and actresses who have to play their roles as entrusted by Nature. As in a play, the playwright-poet mentions that our acts may be classified into the seven ages. We have simply to perform different roles in different ages as scripted by Nature.

In the first stage, a human being is an infant. The infant pukes and murmurs in the nurse's arms. Subsequently, infancy gives way to the school going stage when a person having a face fresh like the morning walks reluctantly to the school with bags hanging on the shoulders. Post this stage, the stage of youth sets in when one experiences the feelings of love and romance. After this stage, an individual enters the phase when one has to fight against all odds like a soldier to make a living. At this stage he wants to be famous also. Having lived this stage, an individual enters a very mature phase when he assumes the role of a detached judge and advisor sharing wisdom and knowledge, gleaned from experience, with others. After this stage,the individual experiences the old age. His /her legs become thin and lean, voice starts trebling. At last, the poet describes how an individual enters the last stage of one's life which is comparable to second childhood. At this final stage , an individual without teeth,eyes,taste and everything, is once again dependent on others and having acted in so many roles gets ready to exit from the stage of this world through the process of death.