Class 10 English Notes Maharashtra Board – Chapter 1.4: All the World's a Stage

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Chapter Title and Brief Introduction

Chapter 1.4 – All the World's a Stage

This chapter is a famous poem from William Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. It presents life as a play where every human being plays different roles from birth to death. The poem uses the metaphor of a stage to explain the seven stages of a man’s life, highlighting how life progresses in predictable phases.

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Author/Poet Information

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is one of the greatest English playwrights and poets. He is often called the “Bard of Avon.” Shakespeare wrote many plays and sonnets, and his works explore themes of love, power, betrayal, and human nature. All the World's a Stage is part of his comedy As You Like It.

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Summary of the Poem

The poem compares the world to a stage and life to a play in which men and women are actors. Shakespeare divides human life into seven stages or roles:

1. Infant – crying and helpless.

2. Schoolboy – reluctant to go to school.

3. Lover – full of passion and poetry.

4. Soldier – brave, ambitious, and quick to quarrel.

5. Justice – wise and fair, full of advice.

6. Old Age – losing strength, becoming childish again.

7. Second Childhood (Death) – returning to a state of dependence before death.

The poem shows how life is cyclical and inevitable, and everyone plays these roles.

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New Words and Meanings

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Figures of Speech with Examples

• Metaphor: Life is compared to a stage, and people are actors.
  “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

• Personification: Describing the world and life as acting and playing roles.
  “The whining schoolboy, with his satchel.”

• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds.
  “Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

• Irony: Old age is compared to a second childhood, showing how life comes full circle.

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Poetic Appreciation

Title: All the World’s a Stage

Theme:
The poem explores the theme of life as a performance where human beings go through different stages or roles. It reflects on the inevitability of change and the cyclical nature of life. It shows how individuals mature, take responsibilities, and eventually lose their strength, portraying the universality of human experience.

Language:
The poem uses simple yet profound language, filled with metaphors and vivid imagery. Shakespeare’s choice of words paints clear pictures of each life stage. The tone is philosophical and reflective, inviting readers to think about their life journey.

Figures of Speech:
The poem extensively uses metaphors, personification, and alliteration. These devices make the comparison of life to a stage more vivid and impactful. The metaphor of the seven ages clarifies the idea that life has predictable phases.

Message/Moral:
The poem’s central message is the transitory nature of life. It teaches us to understand and accept the different phases of human existence with grace. It reminds readers that life is a cycle and that every stage has its purpose and significance.

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Grammar and Language Study

• Tenses: Mostly Present tense used to describe general truths.

• Parts of Speech: Identify nouns, verbs, adjectives in the poem.

• Figures of Speech: Metaphor, Personification, Alliteration explained above.

• Sentence Types: Mostly declarative sentences.

• Vocabulary Usage: Learn new words in different contexts.

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Important Exam Questions with Answers

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What does the phrase “All the world's a stage” mean?
A: It means that life is like a play, and people are actors playing different roles during their lifetime.

Q2: List the seven stages of a man’s life according to the poem.
A: Infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, old age, and second childhood.

Q3: What does the poet say about old age?
A: Old age is like a second childhood where people lose their strength and become dependent again.

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Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the metaphor of life as a play in “All the World’s a Stage.”
A: The poet compares life to a play to show that human life has different roles or stages. Just like actors perform different roles on stage, people go through seven distinct stages in their life, from infancy to old age. This metaphor helps readers understand that life is temporary, and everyone must play their parts.

Q2: Describe the characteristics of the soldier stage in the poem.
A: The soldier is full of ambition and courage. He is eager to fight and protect his honor. He is also quick to quarrel and has a strong sense of pride.

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Central Idea or Moral Message

The central idea of All the World’s a Stage is that life is a series of stages through which every person must pass. Each stage has its own characteristics, struggles, and lessons. The poem reminds us of the temporary and cyclical nature of life, urging us to accept each phase with understanding. It teaches that human life is like a theatrical play where everyone has a role to perform, and after playing their part, they leave the stage — symbolizing death. The message encourages us to reflect on our life journey and prepare for each phase with grace and wisdom.

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Previously Asked Board Exam Questions (Last 5 Years)

Q1 (2021 - 5 Marks): Describe the seven stages of man’s life as per Shakespeare’s poem.
Answer: The poem divides a man's life into seven stages:

1. Infant – helpless and crying

2. Schoolboy – reluctant to go to school

3. Lover – full of passion

4. Soldier – brave and ambitious

5. Justice – wise and mature

6. Old age – losing strength

7. Second childhood – dependent and weak

Q2 (2020 - 3 Marks): What is meant by ‘second childhood’?
Answer: ‘Second childhood’ refers to the last stage of life when old people become helpless and dependent again like children.

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Practice Questions with Answers

Short Questions

1. What role does the schoolboy play in the poem?
   Answer: The schoolboy is reluctant to go to school, carrying his satchel and whining.

2. Explain the term ‘motley’ used in the poem.
   Answer: ‘Motley’ means a multi-colored costume, representing the varied roles a person plays.

Long Questions

1. Explain the significance of the ‘justice’ stage in the poem.
   Answer: The justice stage represents maturity and wisdom, where a person gives advice and judges fairly.

2. How does Shakespeare use imagery to describe old age?
   Answer: Shakespeare describes old age as shrunk and with white hair, using imagery of loss of strength and return to childish behavior.