In this lesson, the students will rewrite the "Seven Ages of Man" soliloquy so that the language contrasts the speech of Jacques. This lesson came from the Folger.edu, but I am unable to find the link again to cite properly. Please forgive me.
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
At first the infant,
____________________________________.
Then, the ________________ schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, _______________________
_______________________.
And then the lover,
Sighing like a _________________________, with a ____________________
_____________________________.
Then a soldier,
Full o f _______________________________ and _____________________
____________________ in honor, _______________________.
Seeking ________________________________________
Even in the cannon's mouth.
And then the justice,
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
And so he plays his part.
The sixth age shifts
Into the ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Last scene of all,
That ends this ________________________ history,
Is _______________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Student versions:
Seven Ages of Man
by Lyric
All the world's a stage,
and the men and women are merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
and one man in his time plays many parts,
his act being seven ages.
At first the infant,
softly and sweetly cooing in the nurse's arms.
Then the joyful school boy with his satchel
and shining morning face, singling like the bird as he cheerfully
goes to school.
And then the lover,
sighing like a soft breeze,
with a gay ballad made to his lady's eyes.
Then a soldier
full of strength and shaved like Taylor Lautner,
great in honor, slow and shy in abadoning the fight,
seeking justice for all even in the canon's mouth.
And then the justice
with fair bellies, for they have eaten their fill of cream puffs,
with eyes full of knowledge and beard of majesty,
full of wisdom and knowledge of his surroundings, and so he plays his part.
The sixth age shifts
into a weary state of mind and body,
with reading glasses and trombone-like sight,
his voice being like the young child's again, and whistles in his breathing.
Last scene of all
that ends his fulfilled life
in childish ways and mental blankness,
barely any sight, teeth, taste, and everything.
The Seven Ages of Man
by Andrea
All the world is a stage
And all the men and women are merely players.
They have their exits and entrances.
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His act being seven ages.
At first the infant,
Cuddling and cooing in the mother's arms.
Then the happy schoolboy,
with his sack and smile skips to school.
And then the lover,
Sighing every so often with a piece of paper in hand that has a poem to woo his love.
Then a soldier,
Fighting to protect his family,
And being faithful till death.
And then the justice,
A healthy fellow with a good coat and trusting eyes and a trimmed beard full of knowledge to help his people.
The sixth age shifts.
Into the lean with spetacles and a pouch on side.
His life experiences useful to his city,
With his voice growing smaller,
He enjoys his days as usual.
Last of all,
His joyful life comes to a close.
As he slowly grows weaker,
He finds a way to enjoy his final days til he exits, satisfied.
The Seven Ages of Man
by Alex
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
At first the infant,
cuddling and laughing.
Then, the smart schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, running happily to school.
And then the lover,
Sighing like aschoolmaster, with a bouquet of lilies.
Then a soldier,
Full o f pride and humbleness in honor, avoiding fights.
Seeking honor,
Even in the cannon's mouth.
And then the justice,
smart and fair, giving good judgment.
And so he plays his part.
The sixth age shifts
Into the old and wise,
young in voice and old in years.
Last scene of all,
That ends this great history,
Is shining eyes, crooked nose, well-kept teeth and hearing perfect.
