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Question
Shakespeare has skilfully brought out the parallels between the life of man and actors on stage. Elaborate this statement with reference to the poem.
Solution
Shakespeare has beautifully compared the growth of humans by stages with his emergent role during that stage. In the first stage, a man plays the role of an infant. As an infant, he does represent the characterization of mewling and puking. In the second Act, he does the role of a schoolboy with the characteristics of unwillingness to go to school and innocence shining in his face. In the third Act, he performs the role of a lover's head over heels in love with a beautiful lady. He composes woeful romantic ballads and sings serenades to impress his love. In the fourth act, he plays the impressive role of a short-tempered, honor pursuing soldier.
He is ready to put his mouth in the Cannon’s mouth for conquering the bubble-like honor in order to defend the territory of his country. In the fifth Act, he performs the role of a mature and fair judge criticizing the ways of the world often spicing up his conversations with wise remarks and wit. His potbelly and well-cut beard show the social status he enjoys in life. In the sixth act, he is old. He performs the role of a thin old man wearing ill-fitting loose garments with a changed treble in his voice. He is bespectacled and slow in walking. In the final act, he becomes a total invalid losing all senses of hearing, taste, and sight. Then the performer leaves the stage (i.e.) the lonely planet.
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| lay | hay |
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