The Seven Ages of Man by William Shakespeare Feature Menu Introducing the Poem Literary Focus: Extended Metaphor

The Seven Ages of Man by William Shakespeare

The Seven Ages of Man Introducing the Poem Is living most like walking through passages? going on a voyage? Or, like playing parts in a play?

The Seven Ages of Man Introducing the Poem In these lines from Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It, Shakespeare compares the world to a stage, people to actors, and their lives to roles in a play. In the play, Jaques speaks these lines as a monologue—a long speech delivered by a single character. Here the lines are presented as a poem. [End of Section]

The Seven Ages of Man Literary Focus: Extended Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of the word like, as, than, or resembles. The dawn of day is the opening line of an unwritten book.

The Seven Ages of Man Literary Focus: Extended Metaphor An extended metaphor is a comparison developed over several lines of writing. The hours of climbing sun are paragraphs seeking their conclusion; And sunset is the final page of day. [End of Section]

The Seven Ages of Man Quickwrite Make the Connection Seven acts—that’s how long this poet imagines the play of your life is going to be. According to Jaques (pronounced JAH kweezh), a character in Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It, you’re now in the middle of the second act of your life. Before you read what he predicts about the rest of your life, try to second-guess him. Write down what you think are the seven stages of a person’s life. [End of Section]

Meet the Writer

The Seven Ages of Man Meet the Writer Most of what we know about William Shakespeare’s life comes from official documents and from the comments of his contemporaries. According to the parish register, Shakespeare was baptized at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a wool dealer, glove maker, and town official. His mother was an heiress from a family of high social standing. More About the Writer [End of Section]