Jaques delivers a cynical yet profound meditation on the cycle of human life, comparing existence to a theatrical performance. He outlines the seven stages of man, from infancy to extreme old age, highlighting the inevitability of decline and the performative nature of social roles.
JAQUES: 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's arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like a snail
Unwillingly to school.
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1200+ scenes
More from As You Like It
Rosalind Scolds Phoebe
from As You Like It
Disguised as the youth Ganymede, Rosalind delivers a sharp-witted rebuke to the shepherdess Phoebe for her cruel treatment of the devoted Silvius. She humbles Phoebe's vanity by critiquing her appearance and urges her to accept a good man's love while she has the chance.
Orlando's Lament
from As You Like It
Orlando expresses his deep resentment toward his eldest brother, Oliver, who has neglected his education and treated him no better than a farm animal. He confides in the loyal servant Adam, declaring that he can no longer endure this indignity and feels his father's spirit prompting him to revolt.
Act III, Scene 5 — Phoebe's Conflicted Feelings
from As You Like It
Phoebe attempts to convince Silvius (and herself) that she is not in love with the disguised Rosalind, despite her detailed and obsessive physical description of the youth. She oscillates between criticism and admiration before deciding to send a 'taunting' letter to mask her true attraction.
Act II, Scene 7 — All the world's a stage
from As You Like It
Jaques delivers a cynical yet profound meditation on the seven stages of human life, from infancy to old age and eventual death. He compares the world to a theater where every individual is merely an actor playing a sequence of roles.
Similar Scenes
Cornelius's Revelation
from Hello, Dolly!
A joyful, romantic, reflective, enthusiastic Cornelius's monologue from "Hello, Dolly!" by Michael Stewart. Genre: comedy.
Naming Things
from Eve's Diary
The scene details are currently unavailable due to a text extraction error. Please provide the script text to receive a full metadata analysis of the characters and dramatic stakes.
Barbie's Perfect Morning
from Barbie
A narrator describes the whimsical, logic-defying reality of Barbie Land as Barbie goes through her morning routine. The scene highlights the imaginative play of children where physical laws like gravity and functional plumbing are replaced by the joy of 'nothing' and 'magic'.
Ellard's Utensil Lesson
from The Foreigner
A earnest, simple, helpful, slightly bewildered Ellard Simms's monologue from "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue. Genre: comedy.