The Seven Ages of Man
by William Shakespeare
by Liz Hartman
Theme
Imagery
"Shining morning face" (8)
He uses this to describe the second age of man, the school boy, and how he is fresh and young in the beginning of his life
"Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms" (6)
This describes an infant, a man's beginning, in his first stage of life, the first act of his play. He is completely helpless.
"big manly voice" (23)
In the sixth age, he says the man is not as he once was, and describes how his features are degrading with old age, like his voice.
Sound Devices
"shrunk shank" (23)
He uses this as well to describe the sixth age, the man who's losing all the things and features he had from his youth.
"quick in quarrel" (13)
The soldier, the fourth age, is described as "jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel" because he is heated and has a temper, and also a desire for justice.
"whistles" (25)
This again represents the sixth act and his voice degrading.
Figurative Language
"sighing like furnace" (10)
This is about the third act, the lover, who puts heart above everything else and loves freely.
"All the world's a stage" (1)
Shakespeare uses this to compare life to a seven act play, with seven distinct ages in a person's life. Life is no different from a play, and in the great play of life, we are all just actors.
"the canon's mouth" (15)
This means that the soldier in the fourth age seeks fortune and reputation even when in harms way.