Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. All the world is 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 school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwilling to school. And then the lover, Sighing like a furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like a pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble-reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.
What do all men and women do ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The extract provided is from William Shakespeare's play "As You Like It," specifically from the famous monologue that begins with "All the world is a stage." In this passage, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a stage to describe life, suggesting that all men and women are like actors who play various roles throughout their lives. This aligns perfectly with Option 1: "perform various roles in life."

1. **Explanation for Option 1:**
   - The metaphor of the world as a stage implies that life is like a theatrical performance where individuals take on different roles at different stages of their lives. Shakespeare outlines these stages as the "seven ages of man," starting from infancy and progressing through various phases such as schoolboy, lover, soldier, and so on. Each of these stages represents a different role or part that a person plays, emphasizing the idea that life is a series of performances where people enact different roles based on their age and circumstances. This directly supports the notion that all men and women perform various roles in life, making Option 1 the correct answer.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 2: indulge in indoor games like chess, cards, etc.**
     - The extract does not mention or imply any involvement in indoor games. The focus is on the metaphor of life as a stage and the roles people play, not on recreational activities.
   
   - **Option 3: play outdoor games like football, cricket, etc.**
     - Similar to Option 2, there is no reference to outdoor games in the extract. The passage is concerned with the metaphorical roles people assume throughout their lives, not physical activities or sports.
   
   - **Option 4: fight wars**
     - While the extract does mention a soldier as one of the roles, it is only one part of the seven ages of man. The overall theme is about the various roles people play, not specifically about fighting wars. The soldier's role is just one of many, and the passage does not suggest that all men and women fight wars.

In conclusion, the extract clearly supports Option 1, as it emphasizes the concept of life as a stage where individuals perform different roles throughout their lives. The other options do not align with the metaphorical and thematic content of the passage.