Explain the following with reference to the context: “All the world’s a stage And all men and women merely players.”
As You Like It is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of As You Like It.
Answer
Explain the following with reference to the context:
“All the world’s a stage
And all men and women merely players.”
The quoted line is told by Jaques in Act II, Scene 7 of “As You Like It” (1623) by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). In this iconic play, Shakespeare gives us a wonderful idea about life. He compares life to a stage. These words explain how human life is like a play, and we are all actors.
In the play, Duke Senior and his friends live in the forest after being banished. They enjoy the simple forest life and talk about human nature. Jaques observes how people change during life. He explains that, just like actors, everyone has a role to play. Each person enters the world at birth and leaves at death.
Jaques imagines life as a big stage. Jaques says life has seven roles or stages. It starts with a crying baby. Then comes the playful child who goes to school unwillingly. Next, the lover sighs and writes songs. The soldier follows, brave and ready to fight but also proud. Then comes the wise judge, full of advice and experience. In old age, the person becomes weak and dependent, just like a child again. Finally, life ends in silence.
Jaques uses this idea to teach the characters in the forest. Rosalind, disguised as a man, learns about life’s ups and downs. Even the banished Duke thinks about how life changes and how we must adjust.
Shakespeare’s lines show that life is temporary but meaningful. Just like a play has happy and sad moments, so does life. The characters in “As You Like It” discover happiness by understanding this truth. Life is a stage, and we should play our parts well.