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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.
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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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