Seven Ages

Jacque's Seven Ages of Man
-The poem basically starts by saying that this world is a stage and all the people are actors, actress, playing different roles depending on the stages of their lifes. Everyone is here to play their part of the role. Everyone was born because they had to play a part in this world. And this play of man's life starts from the time of his birth when he just an infant, and then comes the second stage which is of a crying school going boy who doesn't want to go to school. Third stage is of a lover, when he falls in love and understands the meaning of love and feelings. Forth stage is of an angry young soldier, who fights for his country and land. Fifth stage is the mature sketch of the man's life where he experience all the turns of life. Sixth stage is the one in which he plays with his grand kids and is full of wise advices. Seventh age is of an old man.
Poem analysis:
-In the 1st age, the infant cannot do anything alone and has to be looked after by nurses. The infant gradually grows stronger.
-In the 2nd age, the schoolboy, although has a shining morning face, he does not wnat to go to school. He is unaware of the blessings he is attributed with. He is reluctant to leave the protected environment of his home as he is still not confident enough to exercise his own discretion.
-In the 3rd age, the boy grows up into a mature man, old enough to go into a relationship. In this stage 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 activities and the man follows the tradition of writing love letters to his other half.
-In the 4th age, he thinks less of himself and begins to think more of others as he has to protect his country. He is very easily aroused and is hot headed. He is always working towards making a reputation for himself and gaining recognition, however short-lived it may be, even at the cost of his own life.
-In the 5th age, 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 because of the hard work he had put in when he was in his younger days. He becomes very attentive of his looks and begins to enjoy the finer things of life.
-In the 6th 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 due to old age.
-The poem ends with a horryfying description of the 7th age, and also the last age, because the poet mentions that an old person will lose all his senses and will not know what is going on until he dies. He becomes dependent on others like a child (sometimes called "second childhood") and is in need of constant support before finally dying.