In this poem the poet discusses a man’s life and the various parts of it which according to him are ‘Seven Ages’. He compares life to a play. Just like in a play all the actors appear on the stage and perform their specified roles, similarly, he says that man also comes into this world upon his birth, performs his roles which are seven different roles and after that leaves the world upon his death.

1. The Seven Ages Question Answers
Q1. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by selecting
the correct choice
(a) All the world’s 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 actors.
(iv) life of man that comes to an end.
Ans. (iv) life of man that comes to an end.
(b) 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) death and birth
Ans. (i) birth and death
(c) The seven roles that a man plays correspond to his
(i) chronological age in life
(ii) desires
(iii) mental development through life
(iv) idea of a perfect life
Ans. (iii) mental development through life
Q2. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct option.
(a) All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
1. And one man in his time plays many parts……
Replace the underlined word with the correct option which has the same meaning as used in the
given lines.
A. scenes
B. roles
C. jobs.
D. tasks.
Ans. B. roles
2. The word ‘merely’ reveals that the poet regards/views human life as ________.
A. impressive
B. inconsequential
C. magnificent
D. uninspiring
Ans. D. uninspiring
3. Pick the option that does not match with the poetic device used in the phrase ‘All the world’s a
stage’.
A. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
B. The lightning was fireworks in the sky.
C. Heavy is the heart that wears the crown.
D. The movie was a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Ans. A. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
(b) 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 toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

2. 1. The tone of the poet in line
‘His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank’
is largely
A. nostalgic
B. humorous
C. pessimistic
D. regretful
Ans. A. nostalgic
2. Select the option that displays the changes that very old age witnesses.
i. Round belly
ii. Full of wisdom
iii. Loss of vigour
iv. Lean & bony
v Hoarse voice
A. i, iii, iv
B. ii, iii, v
C. ii, iii, iv
D. iii, iv, v
Ans. D. iii, iv, v
Q4. In this poem, life is being compared to 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)
Ans. In the poem, “The Seven Ages” by William Shakespeare, we see that life is being compared to a
play. In a play, a man acts many parts, which is similar to life, when a man carries out many roles. This is
conceptually similar to the different seasons in nature. Spring is the season of birth and beginnings. In
this season, we see that flowers bloom, trees grow out new branches, and butterflies fly and surround the
pretty flowers. Everything is colourful and cheerful. It is also the season when we experience spells of
rain. Therefore, spring represents infancy and childhood, the beginning of a new life. The rain represents
the whining and vulnerability of infants and children. The flowers and butterflies represent cheerfulness,
curiosity, imagination, and innocence. The next season is summer. This is the season when the weather
is extremely hot. People look for ways to avoid the sun and the heat. Therefore, summer represents the
period of adolescence. Due to hormonal fluctuations, and the changes in our body, we experience mood
swings. Hence, we tend to lash out, even at those we really love. At this stage, we are also exploring our
passion. The next season is Autumn. This season offers rain and strong winds. Leaves mature and fall
from the trees. The flowers stop blooming. This is the stage of adulthood. At this stage, we can see the
truth behind life and see that life is not a bed of roses. It represents the hardships and difficulties of
adulthood as we try to form relationships and establish a financially stable life. We are also preparing for
old age, so that we can live comfortably when we become old. It represents maturity. The next season is
Winter. It is the season of cold and stillness, when everything is buried under snow. Several animals go
into hibernation.