(THE TITLE OF THE POEM IS THE SEVEN STAGES OF MAN BY WILLIAM SHAKES PEARE)

1. What comprises the seven ages of man or stages in life of man according
to the poem?

2. Describe the school boy's attitude towards school. How do you feel about
these pictures of childhood?

3. What is compared to the "stage" in the first two lines? How are the two
related?

4. In Lines 13 & 14, what is compared to "reputation"?

5. What other comparisons are used in the poem? Which are examples of
metaphor? Which are examples of simile?

6. According to the speaker or "persona" in the poem, what physical and
mental changes take place as a man reaches the sixth and seventh ages?

7. Do you agree with the persona's description of old age? Why?

8. What other acceptable descriptions of old age can you think of?

9. In the last line of the poem, the word SANS is repeated. What do you
think is the purpose of repeating it four times?

10. Repetition is a central part of poetry that adds to the enjoyment of a
poem. Words, phrases, or lines are repeated to serve a purpose. Poets
often make sure their words stay in the reader's mind.
Does it help in the understanding of this poem's meaning?
Find other examples of repetition in the poem. List them.

11. What effect does, the repetition have on the description of the last stage
of man?

12. How are the seven ages of man described by the persona?

13. How do the roles of man differ based on the persona's description?
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