The poem "All the World’s a Stage" is authored by William Shakespeare and appears in his play "As You Like It." It takes the form of a monologue spoken by one of the characters.
The poem is written in blank verse, which has no rhyme scheme but features a consistent rhythm of five beats, known as iambic pentameter. It incorporates various figures of speech, including simile, alliteration, and repetition, but the most prominent device is metaphor. The phrase "All the world’s a stage, and all men and women are merely players" suggests an implied comparison between life and a theatrical performance.
In this poem, Shakespeare draws a parallel between life and a stage, dividing the human experience into seven different stages, each with its own distinct characteristics and qualities. The central theme reflects the cycle of life, emphasizing how individuals begin as helpless infants, lacking understanding, and ultimately end in a similar state, unaware of their surroundings and experiences.