![]() We can however see a repetition of consonant sounds throughout the poem. ![]() ![]() Shakespeare focuses more on the message of the dialogue rather than on the meter and rhyme here. The lack of this is, however, more than made up by the prodigal use of alliteration and repetition. Advertisements Technical Aspects and Form: For instance, we see in the same scene the line ‘And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, and then from hour to hour we rot and rot, and thereby hangs a tale.’ This all the more validates the sentiment of futility of life expressed in the dialogue. We see this emotion well explored in the play. The dialogue stands as a strong case for the poet’s argument of the futility of life. The entirety of Human life and the poet’s view on it is covered in the dialogue of Jacques in merely seven sentences. It breaks down the complexities of human life into exceedingly simple stages and makes a sweeping generalization as to the manner in which an individual progresses in life. The poem is a philosophical reflection on life and our role in it. We also see a similar and more familiar system of ages or stages of life in the Indian philosophy, particularly that of the Nyaya System called ‘Ashrama Dharma’ where the life of a man was divided into four ages, namely Brahmacharya-ashrama, Grihasta-ashrama, Vanaprasta-ashrama, and Sanyas-ashrama. What’s new in Shakespeare’s version of the ages of man is that he divides them in seven ages, whereas it was common for earlier writers and philosophers to divide life in three and four ages. Aristotle had proposed four ages of man and the idea was around for a long time since then. The ‘ages of man’ was already a beaten-up topic in Shakespeare’s time, so this verse didn’t really have the kind of popularity it has today. The extract is also regarded as the character’s comment on the futility of life. The purpose of this reply is partly to console the sad Duke Senior and partly to tell the audience of the play that unhappiness is a part of life and that we all go through certain stages of life. The ‘Seven ages of man’ is the reply Jacques gives to Duke Senior. They’re having dinner when Duke Senior confesses to Jacques that he and his men are alone and unhappy whereas the whole world is full of joy. The Seven Ages of Man, also known as “All the world’s a stage” is a dialogue from the English playwright William Shakespeare’s comedy ‘ As you like it.’ The dialogue takes place in Scene VII of Act 2 where the dreamy philosopher Jacques is talking to Duke Senior and Orlando in the forest of Arden. The Seven Ages of Man by William Shakespeare Introduction:
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