William Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man, drawn from his play As You Like It, is often quoted but rarely unpacked in full. More than poetic metaphor, this passage serves as a deeply reflective map of identity transformation—a chronicle of how a man changes not just in age, but in role, behavior, and self-awareness.
Rather than simply describing the passage of time, Shakespeare challenges us to look deeper into the evolving human condition, reminding us that we are all actors playing roles that shift across the stage of life.
According to the British Library, Shakespeare often used theater as a metaphor for life itself, a powerful device for reflecting the changing faces of self. Each “age” reveals a different persona, shaped by biology, experience, and social expectation.
👶 The Infant (0–2 years): Crying, Craving, and the Birth of Self
“At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.”
The journey begins at infancy, a phase marked by total dependence. Shakespeare’s use of “mewling and puking” may seem crude, but it’s precisely accurate. At this age, identity is purely instinctual. There is no self-awareness, only the need to be fed, held, and comforted.
Modern example: A newborn in a hospital nursery, swaddled and crying in a nurse’s arms, reacting only to hunger or discomfort. This stage is where humans first build trust and attachment, as theorized by Erik Erikson in his stages of psychosocial development.
🎒 The Schoolboy (3–12 years): Learning, Resistance, and the Rise of Ego
“Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school.”
In this phase of early childhood and pre-adolescence, the boy begins to experience routine, structure, and discipline. Shakespeare's image of a reluctant student captures the tension between freedom and responsibility.
Modern example: A grade-school child dragging his backpack to class, perhaps faking a stomach ache to avoid a test. He’s bright-eyed but resistant to duty. This is when social identity forms and the first taste of external expectations begins.
💘 The Lover (13–20 years): Emotion, Infatuation, and Dreamlike Devotion
“And then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress’ eyebrow.”
In the throes of adolescence, emotions are intense and romantic obsession often defines identity. Shakespeare’s imagery of poetic longing shows how overpowering this stage can be.
Modern example: A teenage boy texting late at night, writing song lyrics about his first heartbreak. This is the age of passion over logic, driven by hormones and dreams. As stated by Harvard Medical School, this is also the time when the brain’s reward system is most active, making feelings seem larger than life.
⚔️ The Soldier (21–35 years): Ambition, Action, and the Hunger for Recognition
“Then a soldier, full of strange oaths, bearded like the pard, jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon’s mouth.”
This stage represents young adulthood, often marked by ambition, idealism, and sometimes, recklessness. The “soldier” is someone striving to prove himself, chasing a name or legacy.
Modern example: A young man entering corporate life or joining the military, working 60-hour weeks to rise in rank or prestige. He’s active on LinkedIn, ready to defend his reputation, and may even take risky decisions in the name of career or cause.
According to Forbes, this is the stage where men most aggressively pursue success, sometimes at the cost of mental health and balance.
⚖️ The Justice (36–55 years): Maturity, Wisdom, and Social Status
“And then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lined, with eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances.”
Here lies middle age, a time of stability, judgement, and reflection. The man becomes a figure of authority, respected for his insight and experience. Shakespeare’s “justice” is well-fed, orderly, and full of moral sayings.
Modern example: A seasoned manager, lawyer, professor, or father offering advice over dinner. He has financial stability, a tailored wardrobe, and a trimmed beard—his identity is rooted in reason, legacy, and social standing.
This phase is also backed by findings from the American Psychological Association, suggesting this is the time when men feel most secure yet start questioning deeper meaning.
👴 The Pantaloon (56–75 years): Shrinking Strength and Quiet Reflection
“The sixth age shifts into the lean and slippered pantaloon, with spectacles on nose and pouch on side.”
As the man enters senior adulthood, his physical strength fades, and comfort replaces ambition. His clothes no longer fit as they once did. He may become forgetful, soft-spoken, and dependent again in subtle ways.
Modern example: A retired grandfather in slippers and glasses, telling stories to his grandchildren, walking slowly in the park, and taking more medications than meetings.
Shakespeare shows that even in dignity, there is decline, and it brings humility. Yet for many, this age also fosters peace, routine, and the joy of observing life rather than performing in it.
⚰️ Second Childhood (76+ years): Oblivion, Silence, and Life’s Final Exit
“Last scene of all... is second childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”
The last phase is old-old age, marked by dependence and decline. Identity begins to fade as the body gives out. Shakespeare’s “sans everything” line powerfully captures the return to a state of nothingness, reminiscent of infancy but without the promise of growth.
Modern example: An elderly man in a nursing home, needing assistance with daily life, barely speaking, recognizing few names. His presence is a soft echo of the many parts he once played.
As noted by the World Health Organization, this stage is characterized by a need for care, dignity, and connection, even as faculties disappear.
🌍 What This Means in Our Time
Shakespeare’s Seven Ages of Man is not just a poetic division of life. It’s a moving commentary on how identity is never fixed. We change faces with each phase, not always noticing the costume shifts, until we look back and realize we’ve played seven men in one lifetime.
In the age of social media, personal branding, and digital reinvention, Shakespeare’s metaphor of life as theater is more relevant than ever. Whether you're a lover writing ballads or a justice offering wisdom, you are not a single person—you are the sum of roles played across time.