Chapter's summary : Text and Summary of Prose and Poem

Speech: "All the World's a Stage"  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, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse' arms; And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well s...

About the Author           William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is undoubtedly one of the most gifted writers in the world, known for his all-time great plays. The sonnets of Shakespeare are no less famous. They are 154 in number and are divided into two groups. The first 126 sonnets are supposed to be addressed to a gentlemen friend of the poet, for whom the poet had great affection. The dispute about the identity of the poet's friend is unsettled. The other sonnets are addressed to a dark lady of charming beauty. However, all these poems reveal different moods of the poet and explore the intricacies of human relationship. Sonnet 25 comes under the first group of sonnets. Sonnet XXV Let those who are in favour with their stars Of public honour and proud titles boast, Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars, Unlook'd for joy in that I honour most. Great princes' favourites their fair leaves spread But as the marigold at the sun's eye. And in themselves thei...