Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Being in the Circle of Life

William Shakespeare-All the World's a Stage (from As You Like It )

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.
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

What is the significance of these lines in doing work that matters every day?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our time on stage is far to short. It should not be squandered or wasted. When justice inevitably arrives, the life and work relected upon, it is better to see real accomplishment than real regret and wasted opportunity.

Now I will spend the next several days in reflection and depression! Judith, what a thought provoking topic...most outstanding!

Judith Ellis said...

Dave...the beauty of the circle of life is not only the ability to reflect and adjust, but knowing that there is a great continuum forever present. This continuum is indeed kind.

Though justice is envitable we,all of mankind, can influence this circle continuously, even after our space in time has come to an end.

Work that matters most constitutes being that forever reflects this great endless continuum. There is reflection and joy! This is wonderful news indeed. Grace prevails.

Judith Ellis said...

And thanks a lot, Dave, for your concise cogent reading.