Written by William Shakespeare, "The Seven Ages of Man" is part of the play "As You Like It." It is where Jacques, the character/speaker shares his views of the stages in a man's life. In this famous poem, the author conveys an insightful understanding of life and our roles in it.
Shakespeare used Figurative Language in writing this piece that made it more creative, more meaningful and more engaging to the readers. Specifically, there are comparisons used in this poem like the metaphor and simile. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares unrelated things or concepts. Alternatively, a simile uses the words "as, resembles and like" to explicitly compare two different things that are not definition related.
Here are the examples of metaphors used in "The Seven Ages of Man:"
1. All the world's a stage - the world is compared to a stage;
2. All the men and women merely players - players are compared to the different people we meet in this life;
3. They have their exits and entrances - compared to the people who come (enter) and go (exit) out of our lives. Also, it pertains at the time when we are born (enter) and inevitably ends in death (exit);
4. And one man in his time plays many parts - compared to a man doing his part in this life;
5. His acts being seven ages - compared to the phases that a man has to go through in his life;
6. Seeking the bubble reputation - this refers to a man who wants to build a reputation but does not want to really work hard for it;
7. And then the justice in fair round belly, with good capon lin'd - compared to a judge who is wiser because of years of experience but still commits mistakes;
8. Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloons - compared to an old foolish man.
Examples of simile in the poem:
1. Creeping like a snail - the boy is compared to a snail that moves slowly;
2. Sighing like a furnace - means sighing constantly for being so love-struck;
3. Bearded like a pard - means growing a beard as a proof of being a real man.
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