NCERT Solutions for Class 9th: Ch 10 The Seven Ages Literature Reader English 

By William Shakespeare

Page No: 81

3. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions by ticking the correct choice 

(a) All the world is a stage is an extended metaphor for-
(i)The life shown in well known plays
(ii) Seeing the well known plays
(iii) Life of well known plays
(iv) Life of man that comes to an end

Answer

(iv) Life of man that comes to an end

(b) All ‘have their exits and their entrances' Exits and entrances refer to __________.
(i) Birth and death
(ii) Beginning and end of play
(iii) Coming and going of actors
(iv) The end of the Shakespearean era

Answer

(i) Birth and death

Page No: 82

(c) The seven roles that a man plays correspond to his___________.
(i) chronological age in life
(ii) desires
(iii) mental age in life
(iv) idea of a perfect life

Answer

(i) chronological age in life

4. Having read this extract, identify the stages of a person's life as Shakespeare has done. Write down these stages in your note book, and sum up the characteristics of each stage in two or three words. e.g.
Stage Characteristic feature 
Infancy crying 

Answer
 
Stage 
Characteristic feature

Infancy
Crying, helpless
Childhood
Whining, bright, alert, active
Lover
sentimental, unhappy, poetic,
tense
Soldier

quarrelsome, short tempered,
foolishly looking for glory and
fame in the jaws of death
Justice
Wise, mature, authoritative, responsible

Old age
getting weak and lean due to
failing health, loss of manly
voice
Extreme Old Age
Clueless ,dependent


















6. Explain the meaning of the following

(a) __________ all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances __________.

Answer

The quoted lines are from the poem “The Seven Ages” by William Shakespeare. The poet has compared the world to a stage and men and women with actors.All men and women appear on the stage of the world to play various roles. They are just stage artists. Their birth marks their appearance on the stage and death
denotes their departure.

(b) And then the lover
Sighing like furnace__________.

Answer

The lines are taken from the poem “The Seven Ages” by William Shakespeare. With the help of a simile, the poet explains that on attaining adolescence, men fall in love. The passion of love becomes active like heat generated in a furnace. However, this surging passion also declines after crossing a certain point of time. In this line, the poet hints at momentary nature of human affairs.

(c) a soldier,__________Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.

Answer

The quoted lines are from the poem “The Seven Ages” by William Shakespeare. The poet has compared a young man to a soldier who takes his responsibilities very seriously and strives relentlessly when dedicated to a cause. In his youth, man seeks instant fame and is ready to take risks. However, when one seeks instant fame, there is a big risk of their reputation getting tainted, just like a bubble that rises and bursts instantly. 

7. Read the poem again and note down the metaphors and similes. Copy and complete the following chart.

Item
Metaphor
Simile
World
All the world's a stage

Men, women


school-boy


lover


soldier


reputation


voice



Which comparison(s) do you find most interesting? Why?

Answer 

Item
Metaphor
Simile
World
All the world's a stage
Men, women
men and women merely players
school-boy
Creeping like snail
lover
sighing like a furnace
soldier

bearded like the pard
reputation
bubble reputation
voice
big manly voice

According to me school boy comparison is really interesting one. Here, poet shows a boy carrying a schoolbag but at the same time walking slowly towards school. He doesn't want to go to school. This phase common in these days.


Study Material of The Seven Ages

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