{The Ages of Man}[14th July 1987]

[Redbook4:47][19870714:2300]{The Ages of Man}[14^th July 1987]

19870714:1052

It is not surprising that Shakespeare's version**** of the 7 Ages of Man* fits the Circle pattern, as the life of Man itself fits the Circles, one way or the other; it is surprising – but perhaps should not be, knowing the author** – that it is impossible to tell whether the piece from As You Like It is Outer Circle or cynically-viewed Inner Circle: it fits either, although in Principle rather than in Attributes it fits Outer Circle better – being perhaps more observant than visionary. I think the main problem is the ***arbitrary choice of Justice for the 5^th Age.

*{cf. II[[Redbook2:242][19820813:1945b]{The Ages of Man}[13^th August 1982]].242

III[[Redbook3:158-164][19870409:1345n-s](TAROT NUMBERING, AGES AND OCCUPATIONS)[9th April 1987]].159-164

& cf. [[Redbook4:58][19870819(&20)]{Life Circles}[19^th August 1987] ]p.58}

**[don't you know!]

***(apparently)

****

“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 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 a 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 slippered 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.”

[William Shakespeare, “As You Like It” Act II, Scene VII.]

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