I have now just read one of the most insightful and original twenty-seven lines in literature demonstrating the seven different stages of man. Every day when I do anything, I reflect and ponder on these lines and it affects the way I behave and act. Let me tell you the different actions and clever language techniques that Shakespeare have used to create this masterpiece.
The main ideas of this monologue are that in certain times, life takes place in various stages that slowly can progress to shape our lives until a certain point where we realize that we end up at the point in which we began. This idea is demonstrated throughout the poem especially in the quote “one man in his time plays many parts”. Another key idea is that life passes by before you can reflect back on it. Throughout this whole poem, the poet describes the life of man. This idea is demonstrated through the quote “His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide for his shrunk shank,” which tells us that his pants are well saved meaning that he has not experienced the world fully.
Shakespeare uses two major poetic devices used in this poem – metaphor and imagery. Imagery was used throughout the poem to emphasize the idea that often times people progress throughout time in a way in which each stage in their life will change their behaviour and actions. Specifically, imagery is used to appeal to various senses over the span of a lifetime. Another poetic device that widely contributes to the theme “All the World’s A Stage” is the use of metaphors. Shakespeare compares the “world” to a “stage” which creates the impression that the world in which we live on is similar to a stage as we all generally play out roles as we go through phases in our lives. This metaphor contributed to the effectiveness of the poem as it gives us insight comparing something so large and grand with a stage. Other poetic devices used in the poem are similes, repetition and hyperbole. Similes are used multiple times especially at the first few stages. Its effect is comparing the two different ideas creating the sense of ?
The character reading this monologue is feeling cynical and upset that they are still in the Forest of Arden. Before his dramatic monologue, the Duke is trying to lift Jacques’ spirits and tells him that other people go through tragedies even worse than his situation.
The two quotes that I believe are most effective are “All the world’s a stage” and “Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything,
The first quote emphasises the point that all humans are characters in the drama known as the stage. I paused after saying this extended metaphor creating the dramatic effect that I was trying to aim for.” The second quote tells us that elderly patients lose function of certain body parts turning into the state when it was first born. I have used my voice to project and animate these particular lines to further deepen my connection with this monologue.
At the first line, I have paused and did a gesture to represent the ‘stage’ creating the dramatic effect of the first statement. For the stages of man, I have tried to repeat the mocking attitude that Jacques creates when he speaks during the monologue. When there is repetition, I have dramatically repeated the phrase or word while pausing in between, especially at the last line.
This speech is a great speech to study because it tells us that life is a just a circle repeating itself. Shakespeare talks about the seven stages which even being written five hundred years ago still applies to humanity till the end of time. However, it has created a stunning metaphor comparing life with being on a stage. It explains life in a way that I can process and understand. I believe people should still study and view As You Like It, because it draws parallels to real life examples such as forgiving your enemies and being kind to your close friends and family.
To conclude, I believe that this monologue is one of Shakespeare’s greatest speech which draws all people to think what their purpose for life is.