This theme of the seven ages of man dates back to antiquity. In classical literature, though, descriptions of these seven ages were generally encomiastic, praising the virtues appropriate to each age and describing humanity as marvelous. Jacques, however, the speaker of this monologue in "As You Like It," is melancholic and misanthropic and thus emphasizes the negative aspects of each of the ages. Instead of describing infants as innocent and full of potential, he describes them as "mewling and puking" and schoolboys as whining. Lovers are absurd rather than romantic.
The soldier, normally a figure one would admire, representing mature strength and devotion to duty, instead is described as rude and barbaric by Jacques, uttering "strange oaths, and bearded like the pard." Rather than considering soldiers brave, dedicated, and self-sacrificing, he portrays them as chasing after personal glory. The phrase "bubble reputation" suggests that rather than being motivated by...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
a lasting sense of virtue or duty, soldiers are just seeking ephemeral fame. Risking one's life for a moment of fame (soon to be forgotten) is portrayed as rash and vainglorious rather than admirable by Jacques.
Shakespeare adopts a playful tone to describe the "seven ages" of man. He does so to underscore the transient and ever-changing nature of a growing person.
Every stage of man’s life has its distinctive peculiarities. After passing through adolescence, a person reaches adulthood. He takes up a profession. Shakespeare, here, picks up a soldier as he best describes the temperament of a man in this stage of life.
When a person becomes a soldier or attains adulthood, he develops a heightened sensitivity to others’ opinions about himself. His concern for his reputation acquires far greater significance than anything else. He becomes so obsessed with his repute that he doesn't even hesitate to risk his life to win himself glory. Shakespeare puts forth this in an amusing way:
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.
"Bubble" signifies the idea of transience and impermanence. The “reputation,” for which a young man is eager to venture his life, is actually bubble-like; implying that it’s not going to last long.
It’s not considered prudent to endanger one's life for something that’s trivial or insubstantial. Life’s is too valuable to be lost for an insignificant cause. Shakespeare, however, isn't being didactic at all. He just points out, in a light-hearted manner, the peculiarity of a person at this stage of his life.
In "The Seven Ages of Man," why is "reputation" compared to a "bubble"?
Jaques seems to be saying that reputation for valor is fleeting. It is something that looks impressive like a large bubble, but it can vanish in an instant like a bursting bubble. Shakespeare expresses a very similar notion in another play, Troilus and Cressida. In that play Achilles has refused to fight because he feels insulted by Agamemnon. Ulysses is trying to persuade Achilles to engage in battle again because he is such a great warrior and so badly needed by the Greeks. Ulysses works on Achilles' pride by getting the other leaders to ignore him and to pretend to be honoring Ajax as their great hero. Ulysses tells Achilles, in effect, that what you have done in the past is quickly forgotten; you have to keep accomplishing new deeds if you want your reputation to remain bright. That is the essence of what Ulysses tells Achilles in a long speech beginning with the following lines.
Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back,
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,
A great-siz'd monster of ingratitudes.
Those scraps are good deeds past, which are devour'd
As fast as they are made, forgot as soon
As done. Perseverance, dear my lord,Keeps honour bright. To have done is to hangQuite out of fashion, like a rusty mailIn monumental mock'ry. Act III, Scene 3
This is what Jaques is implying when he speaks of the "bubble reputation" in As You Like It. Reputation doesn't last. Therefore, according to Jaques, it isn't worth seeking. He believes that a soldier is foolish to look for something so fragile and valueless at great risk to his own life.
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. Act II, Scene 7