Think and write on your own. What is the theme/central idea of this poem? Which two stages of man, described by Shakespeare, sound humorous? Say why.

ENGLISH WORKSHOPQ 6  PAGE 26

Think and write on your own.

What is the theme/central idea of this poem?

SOLUTION

The theme of this poem is the cycle of life. It tells us how one starts out an infant, helpless and without understanding, and ends the same way. without being aware of what is happening around one.

Think and write on your own.

Which two stages of man, described by Shakespeare, sound humorous? Say why.

SOLUTION

The second and third stages are humorous. One can just imagine the school boy, complaining and whining, creeping to school slowly with a well-scrubbed and shining face. The third stage, where the lover sighs loudly and sings sad poems and songs. is also humorous.

Think and write on your own.

The last (7th) stage of life sounds very sad and miserable. How can you make old age also cheerful and happy?

SOLUTION

The first stage is that of an infant, crying weakly and throwing up in his nurse's arms. He is unaware of what is happening around him. The baby, at this stage, is without teeth, without vision, without taste and without anything.

The last stage of all, which ends this eventful life, is when man becomes senile and enters his second childhood. He is again unaware of what is happening around him. This final stage is when he is once more without teeth, without vision, without taste and without anything. 

ENGLISH SSC NEW SYLLABUS