the summary of the seven ages by william shakespeare.

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.

The poem describes seven stages of a person 's lifetime. Stage one is that of infancy when a child is born. He is helpless and innocent and untouched by life 's vices. He pukes and murmurs in the nurse 's arms. Stage two occurs when that infant grows up to become a school-going boy. The face shines bright and bears normal expressions of disinterest when it comes to going to school. This is a very nice and bright phase of growth for kids where he starts to gain knowledge about the world and the people living around him. Stage three arrives when the kid reaches the stage of youth. Here, he becomes very imaginative and his world of fantasy starts taking shapes in the form of a beloved and promises he takes with her. He sings and dances, celebrating his youth to his heart 's content. Then arrives Stage four where he starts with a career of his own. He becomes responsible towards managing his own livelihood. For him, the question of status, ego, pride and intellect become a priority. He becomes a fearless, strong man. Stage five begins the moment a person reaches an age of around 40 where his character becomes grave and his pace in life mellows down a lot. He becomes passive and is full of wisdom. Stage six shifts in when a person starts withering and losing energy. He starts losing the spark within him and lack of enthusiasm makes life seem dull. Stage seven dawns on a person when one reduces to nothing and becomes dependant and helpless. His nature turns childlike and he becomes completely oblivious of his surroundings and people around him. This is the last stage of a human being which ultimately ends with death of the body.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Mental dementia and death: He loses his status and he becomes a non-entity. He becomes dependent on others like a child and is in need of constant support before finally dying.

 The first and foremost act of every human being is the stage of infancy, where he makes his presence felt by crying at the top of his voice and many a times vomiting any food or drink that is repulsive, at the nursing arms of his mother. This period normally last till four years of age. The second stage is the ‘whining’ schoolboy where he learns to utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint. His shiny morning face and his satchel; a small bag, sometimes with a shoulder strap; he creeps like a snail and not willing to go to school.
       

  The third stage is his early youth, the peak of love and high romance. He sighs like a burning furnace and sings the sad ballads of romance; full of woe; affected with, characterized by, or indicating woe: woeful melodies; to impress his lover’s heart. The impression of her reply can be seen in her eyebrows. The fourth stage is that of a soldier where life if full of obligations, commitments, compliances, oaths and vows.  His beard is like a leopard or panther. 
  The fifth stage is the adult-hood where a man tries to live a fair and justified life. His belly becomes bigger than normal. He is conscious about his diet and consumes a good intake of ‘capon’; a cockerel castrated to improve the flesh for use as food. His eyes are severe with seriousness and his beard is leveled to a formal cut. He is to take a lot of correct decisions to keep up with the ever changing times. So this stage is the most powerful stage in life.

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