All the world's a stage.
[Book] ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE. - Shakespeare’s Metaphor for Life’s Performances
Illustrates life as a sequence of performed roles.
Shakespeare’s "As You Like It" features this profound metaphor spoken by the melancholy Jaques. The line sets the stage for a speech that describes life in terms of a theatrical play, where individuals perform various roles as they age. This philosophical reflection on the human condition resonates deeply, suggesting that all human actions are performances and that society is merely a larger stage. Its enduring wisdom continues to influence modern interpretations of identity and social interaction, highlighting the performative nature of human life.
Example Sentences
William Shakespeare
As You Like It
The line is from Jaques’ monologue on the seven ages of man, first performed in 1603.
