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The Seven Ages Of Man
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The Seven Ages Of Man
Engraving by H. Bourne, based on a painting by William Mulready called The Seven Ages of Man (1838) illustrates Jaques speech from the second act, scene 7, of William Shakespeare play As You Like It, 1838. The engraving originally appeared in Charles Knights two-volume Imperial Edition of The Works of Shakespere, published between 1873 & 1876. The speech reads as follows: All the worlds 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 nurses 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 cannons mouth. 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; 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 saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Hulton Archive
Media ID 11799020
© 2005 Getty Images
Elderly Engravings Literature Prints Theatre Youth
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This print showcases "The Seven Ages of Man" an engraving by H. Bourne based on William Mulready's painting from 1838. The artwork beautifully illustrates a poignant speech delivered by Jaques in the second act, scene 7 of Shakespeare's play "As You Like It". Published between 1873 and 1876, this engraving originally appeared in Charles Knight's two-volume Imperial Edition of The Works of Shakespere. The image depicts the profound concept that all human beings are mere players on the stage of life. Each person has their own entrances and exits, playing multiple roles throughout their lifetime. The seven ages are eloquently portrayed through various characters: from the helpless infant cradled in a nurse's arms to the reluctant schoolboy with his satchel; from the passionate lover sighing over a woeful ballad to the fierce soldier seeking honor at any cost; from the wise justice with his round belly and severe gaze to the aged pantaloon, wearing spectacles and carrying memories too vast for his shrunken frame. In its final scene, this extraordinary journey concludes with second childhood and oblivion – toothless, sightless, tasteless – devoid of everything that once defined us as individuals. This evocative photograph captures not only Mulready's artistic brilliance but also Shakespeare's timeless exploration of human existence. Displayed here is an exquisite piece from Fine Art Storehouse featuring this remarkable engraving preserved by Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
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