At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail. a. What characteristics of infant life are mentioned here? b. Why does the schoolboy creep like a snail? c. Explain: 'shining morning face'. d. What is the next stage that comes after this one? e. What is the poetic device in creeping like snail

And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad. Made to his mistress' eyebrow. a. Which stage is that of the lovers described by the poet? b. What is a furnace? Why has the lover been compared with 'a sighing furnace’? c. Explain the line, "Made to his mistress' eyebrow." d. Why do you think is the lover's ballad a woeful one?

Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. a. Why is the soldier compared to a pard? b. Describe the characteristics of a soldier? c. Why has reputation been described as 'bubble'? d. What is ironical about a soldier dying for it? e. What special aspects of human nature are mentioned about this stage of life? f. what is the poetic device used in Seeking the bubble reputation

In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. a. Who is being described in the above lines? b. Give the meaning of good capon lined'. c. What does he do to show his wisdom? Why? d. What status does he enjoy at this stage?

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. a. Which is the stage of man's life that the poet describes here? b. Give the meaning of 'shrunk shank'. Why does the poet use these words to describe man? c. How would you contrast this stage with the fourth stage i.e. the soldier? d. Why does his voice again turn into childish treble?

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. a. What is "second childishness"? Why has it been called so? b. What happens to man at this stage? c. Give the meanings of 'mere oblivion' and 'sans'.

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. a. Into how many stages does Shakespeare divide a man's life? Name them in their correct order. b. Which stages would you associate with the following character traits: (i) helplessness (ii) strength & pride
(iii) aloofness & wisdom (iv) weakness

Last scene of all That ends this strange eventful history, in second childishness and mere oblivion sans teeth; sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. a. What are the symptoms of the human life before the last scene? b. What is the similarity between the first and last stage of human life? c. What is called a 'strange eventful history'?

List all the seven stages of a man’s life along with their characteristic features.

Justify the title of the poem ‘The Seven Ages’.

What is the central idea of the poem ‘The Seven Ages’ ?

What is the message derived from the lines ‘All the world’s a stage all men and women merely players’ ?

‘All the world’s a stage, all men and women merely players.’ Inspired by the quote, write about the moral value that is imparted through the above lines.

Old age is referred to as second childishness, when a man needs to be taken care of like a child. Based on your reading of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic “Caring for the Old.”

A Soldier is full of courage and willing to lay down his life for his country. Based on your reading of the poem, Write a paragraph on ‘Respect the Jawans Who Protect Our Nation’.

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?