CBSE Class 9 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter P.5 The Seven Ages

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This section provides NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English, Chapter P.5, 'The Seven Ages'. The chapter, based on a famous monologue by William Shakespeare, uses an extended metaphor to compare the world to a stage and human life to a play with seven distinct roles or stages. These solutions help students understand the poem's central theme of life's transience, the various stages of human life from infancy to old age, and the literary devices employed, such as metaphors and similes. The explanations clarify complex ideas and provide insights into Shakespeare's perspective on human existence. These solutions are designed to aid students in comprehending the poem thoroughly and preparing effectively for their examinations by offering clear, step-by-step answers and analyses.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter P.5 The Seven Ages

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Seven Ages' (Chapter P.5) for CBSE Class 9 English. This chapter explores William Shakespeare's famous comparison of the world to a stage and human life to a play. The solutions break down the poem's core message about the seven distinct stages of a man's life, from birth to death. They also focus on identifying and understanding the metaphors and similes used to describe each stage, aiding students in literary analysis and comprehension.

Learning outcomes

Understand the central metaphor of the world as a stage and life as a play.
Identify and explain the seven stages of human life as described in the poem.
Recognize and analyze the use of similes and metaphors in the poem.
Appreciate the theme of life's transience and the roles individuals play.
Develop critical thinking skills by comparing life to other concepts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Seven Ages of Man
Extended Metaphor
Simile
Life Stages
Transience of Life
William Shakespeare
Poetic Devices
Literary Analysis
Human Life Cycle
Comparison of Life
Infancy
Old Age

Important topics

The Seven Ages of Man
Extended Metaphor: World as a Stage
Similes used for different life stages
Theme of Life's Transience
Understanding Poetic Devices

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Questions and Solutions

Q1

All the world is a stage is an extended metaphor for-

(i) The life shown in well known plays

(ii) Seeing the well known plays

(iii) Life of well known plays

(iv) Life of man that comes to an end

Solution: The extended metaphor 'All the world is a stage' compares the world to a theatre stage. In this context, it signifies that human life itself is like a play, with each person playing various roles throughout their existence. The ultimate end of this 'play' of life is death, making option (iv) the most fitting interpretation, as it points to the finite nature of human life.

Q2

All 'have their exits and their entrances' Exits and entrances refer to

(i) Birth and death

(ii) Beginning and end of play

(iii) Coming and going of actors

(iv) The end of the Shakespearean era

Solution: In the context of the poem's metaphor comparing life to a play, 'entrances' symbolize the beginning of a person's life, which is birth. Correspondingly, 'exits' symbolize the end of a person's life, which is death. Therefore, 'exits and entrances' refer to birth and death.

Q3

The seven roles that a man plays correspond to his_

(i) chronological age in life

(ii) desires

(iii) mental age in life

(iv) idea of a perfect life

Solution: The poem describes the progression of a man's life through seven distinct stages or roles. Each of these stages is characterized by different behaviours, appearances, and concerns, which are presented in sequence as the individual ages. Thus, the seven roles directly correspond to a man's chronological age throughout his life.

Q4

_____all the men and women merely players They have their exits and their entrances ______.

Solution: The complete lines are: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances". These lines, from William Shakespeare's poem 'The Seven Ages', use an extended metaphor to compare the world to a theatre stage and people to actors. Just as actors enter a stage to perform and then exit, humans are born ('entrances') and eventually die ('exits') after playing their roles in life. This highlights the transient nature of human existence.

Q5

And then the lover Sighing like furnace_____.

Solution: These lines from 'The Seven Ages' describe the stage of a lover. The simile 'Sighing like furnace' vividly portrays the intense passion and deep sighs characteristic of a young man in love. The comparison to a furnace suggests the heat and intensity of his emotions, emphasizing the powerful feelings associated with this stage of life.

Q6

Read the poem again and note down the metaphors and similes. Copy and complete the following chart.

Item Metaphor Simile

World All the world's a stage Men, women school-boy lover soldier reputation voice

Which comparison(s) do you find most interesting? Why?

Solution: Here is the completed chart identifying metaphors and similes from the poem:

Item | Metaphor | Simile

------- | -------- | --------

World | All the world's a stage | -

Men, women | merely players | -

School-boy | - | Creeping like snail

Lover | - | Sighing like a furnace

Soldier | - | (Implied comparison to a 'bearded pard' for fierceness)

Reputation | Bubble reputation | -

Voice | Big manly voice | -

The comparison of the school-boy 'creeping like snail' is particularly interesting because it effectively captures the slow, reluctant pace and perhaps the smallness associated with childhood, making the stage of early life relatable and visually distinct.

Q7

In this poem, life is compared with a play. Just as in a play, a man acts many parts, so also in life, a man plays many roles. Can you think of some other comparison for life? (For example, life could be compared with the seasons in nature, the days of the week, the lessons in a school day). Select one of these comparisons (or choose one of your own), and write about the similarities that life has with it. (80-100 words)

Solution: Life can be compellingly compared to the changing seasons in nature. Just as nature cycles through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, human life progresses through distinct phases. Childhood resembles spring, a time of new beginnings and growth. Youth is akin to summer, characterized by energy, vibrancy, and full bloom. Middle age can be likened to autumn, a period of maturity, harvest, and reflection on past efforts. Finally, old age mirrors winter, a time of slowing down, quietude, and perhaps a sense of dormancy before the cycle concludes. Each season, like each life stage, has its unique qualities, challenges, and beauty, and each is temporary, eventually giving way to the next.

Common mistakes

Confusing the literal meaning of 'exits and entrances' with birth and death.
Misinterpreting the extended metaphor without understanding its deeper implications.
Difficulty in identifying and differentiating between metaphors and similes used in the poem.
Struggling to articulate the similarities between life and other comparative concepts.

Revision tips

Read the poem 'The Seven Ages' aloud to grasp its rhythm and flow.
Focus on understanding the meaning of each of the seven stages described.
Create a table to list the metaphors and similes used for each stage.
Practice explaining the central theme of life's transience in your own words.
Attempt to create your own comparisons for life, similar to Question 7.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase 'All the world's a stage' primarily suggest?

Q2. In the context of the poem, 'exits and entrances' most accurately refer to:

Q3. The seven roles a man plays in life are linked to:

Q4. Which simile is used to describe the 'lover' stage?

Q5. The metaphor 'bubble reputation' relates to which stage of life?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'The Seven Ages'?

The main theme of 'The Seven Ages' is the transience of human life, comparing it to a play where individuals pass through seven distinct stages or roles from birth to death.

What literary devices are prominent in 'The Seven Ages'?

The poem prominently uses an extended metaphor (the world as a stage) and several similes (e.g., 'sighing like furnace', 'creeping like snail') to describe the different stages of life.

How do the NCERT Solutions help students understand this chapter?

The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations for each question, breaking down the poem's meaning, identifying literary devices, and offering model answers for comparative analysis, thereby aiding comprehension and exam preparation.

What does 'All the world is a stage' mean in the context of the poem?

This famous line means that the world is like a theatre stage, and all human beings are like actors who enter, play their roles through different phases of life, and eventually exit (die).

Can you explain the comparison of life with seasons from the solutions?

The solutions compare life's phases to seasons: childhood to spring (new beginnings), youth to summer (activity), middle age to autumn (maturity, fruition), and old age to winter (inactivity, coldness), highlighting the temporary and cyclical nature of both.

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