Crabbed Age and Youth -William Shakespeare

Crabbed Age and Youth

-William Shakespeare

Crabbed Age and Youth
Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance,
Age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn,
Age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave,
Age like winter bare:
Youth is full of sports,
Age’s breath is short,
Youth is nimble, Age is lame:
Youth is hot and bold,
Age is weak and cold,
Youth is wild, and Age is tame:-
Age, I do abhor thee;
Youth, I do adore thee;
O! my Love, my Love is young!
Age, I do defy thee-
O sweet shepherd, hie thee,
For methinks thou stay’st too long.

Bengali Translation:

খিটমিটে বার্ধক্য আর উচ্ছ্বল যৌবন

পারে না করতে বাস একসাথে কখন:

যৌবন সে-ই পরিপূর্ণ যে পরম সুখে,

বার্ধক্য সে-ই পুরোটাই থাকে যে প্রযত্নে;

যৌবন সে তো গ্রীষ্মের প্রভাতের মতো,

বার্ধক্য সে যে শীতের আবহাওয়ার মতো;

যৌবন যে গ্রীষ্মের সাহসিকতার মতো,

বার্ধক্য যে শীতের বিবস্ত্রতার মতো;

যৌবন সদাই ক্রীড়ানন্দে ভরপুর,

বার্ধক্যে শ্বাস চলে ধীরে ক্ষণতর;

যৌবন যেথা চপলা-চঞ্চল,

বার্ধক্য সেথা অক্ষম-অচল;

যৌবন যে উত্তপ্ত আর দুঃসাহসিক,

বার্ধক্য সে দুর্বল আর শৈথিল্যিক;

যৌবন উদভ্রান্ত আর বার্ধক্য নিরানন্দ।

বার্ধক্য, করি তোমায় ঘৃণা আমি,

যৌবন, সানন্দে আমি তব নমি;

ও আমার ভালবাসা, ভালবাসা আমার চিরযৌবন!

রে বার্ধক্য, তোরে করি আমি অবজ্ঞায় দহন!

কামনা তব দ্রুত প্রস্থান, ওগো সোনা মেষের রাখাল।

চাই না তব অবস্থান, এমন অতীব দীর্ঘকাল।

A. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is the significance of comparing youth to summer and age to winter in the poem?

( ii) How does the poet show the differences between youth and age in the poem?

(iii) What images does the poet use to describe youth and age, and how do they help us understand their characteristics?

(iv) How does the poem express the poet’s feelings about age and youth?

(v) How does the poem reflect on the poet’s view of the passage of time and human experience?

B. Read the poem again, and identify 3 metaphors and 2 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.

C. How does the poem make you feel about the contrast between youth and age? Read the poem again and share your thoughts about how Shakespeare presents youth and age in your own words.

Answer:

(i)The metaphor ‘Bird thou never wert signifies that the skylark is not merely an ordinary bird but a symbolic representation of a higher, more ethereal existence. This metaphor highlights the skylark’s role as a divine or otherworldly being that transcends the physical limitations of a bird, symbolizing pure, untainted joy and artistic inspiration.

(ii) The poet explores the theme of transcendence by depicting the skylark as a being that rises above earthly constraints. The skylark’s soaring flight and its ability to sing continuously in the heavens represent an ideal of spiritual and artistic elevation. The bird’s ascent and boundless singing symbolize the ultimate escape from the mundane and the attainment of a higher state of being.

(iii) Imagery in the poem, such as cloud of fire’ and ‘golden lightning. Vividly portrays the skylark’s ethereal qualities and divine nature. This imagery helps convey the theme of transcendence by illustrating the skylark’s ascension into realms. Beyond the ordinary, highlighting its role as a symbol of pure joy and unrestrained creativity.

(iv)The poem reflects the poet’s personal experiences by conveying Shelley’s admiration for the skylark as a symbol of pure, unrestrained inspiration and artistic freedom. Shelley may have felt constrained by the limitations of human experience and looked to the skylark as a representation of the artistic ideal he aspired to a being that exists beyond the confines of the physical world,

(v) The poem reflects on the nature of artistic inspiration by portraying the skylark as a symbol of boundless creativity and unmediated expression. The skylark’s continuous song and its heavenly flight represent the ideal of artistic freedom and the ability to transcend ordinary experiences. The poem suggests that true inspiration comes from a state of transcendent joy and unrestrained expression.

Metaphors:

(i)Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!’

Explanation: The skylark is metaphorically described as a “blithe Spirit,” suggesting its joyful and ethereal nature. This metaphor highlights the bird’s uplifting and inspiring presence.

(ii) ‘Bird thou never wert’

Explanation: This metaphor suggests that the skylark is more than just a bird; it represents a higher, almost divine presence. By calling it a being that was “never a bird. Shelley emphasizes its exceptional and transcendent qualities, portraying it as a symbol of pure joy and artistic inspiration.

(iii) ‘Profuse strains of unpremeditated art’

Explanation: This metaphor compares the skylark’s song to spontaneous, overflowing art. It highlights the natural and effortless beauty of its music, suggesting that true art is unplanned and flows freely, reflecting the skylark’s pure and authentic creativity.

Similes:

(i) ‘Like a cloud of fire’

Explanation: This simile likens the skylark’s flight to a “cloud of fire,” conveying its vibrant, dynamic, and otherworldly nature. It creates an image of brilliance and energy, emphasizing the skylark’s transcendence and radiant beauty.

(ii) ‘Like an unbodied joy’

Explanation: Comparing the skylark to “an unbodied joy” suggests that its happiness and song are pure and free from physical constraints. This simile highlights the skylark’s ethereal and boundless joy, portraying it as a symbol of spiritual and artistic freedom.

Here, the metaphors elevate the skylark from a mere bird to a symbol of divine inspiration and artistic purity. They convey the bird’s exceptional qualities and its role as an ideal of creativity and transcendence. The similes create vivid imagery that enhances the reader’s sense of the skylark’s mystical and radiant nature. They illustrate the bird’s ethereal beauty and boundless joy, reinforcing the themes of artistic inspiration and spiritual elevation. So, the metaphors and similes highlight the skylark’s otherworldly and inspiring qualities, emphasizing its role as a symbol of transcendent artistic inspiration and joy.

c. Writing expressions

Reading “To a Skylark” evokes a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the natural world. Shelley’s portrayal of the skylark as a divine being soaring above earthly limitations captures the essence of pure, unrestrained creativity. The imagery of the skylark as a “cloud of fire” and the imagery of the bird’s presence in the “golden lightning” create a vivid picture of the skylark’s radiant and celestial nature. The poem makes me reflect on how art and inspiration can transcend ordinary experiences, reaching heights of pure joy and freedom. It’s inspiring to think of creativity as something that rises above the mundane, as the skylark does, reminding us of the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.

Summary 

‘Crabbed Age and Youth’ by William Shakespeare contrasts the attributes of experiences of youth and age.  The poet uses this poem to portray youth as a time of pleasure and vigor. It’s like a summer morning and is full of energy and boldness. But, as one age, one experiences something different. Age is depicted as a period of care, weakness, and overall coldness. It is, the poet indicates, like winter. The poem ends with the speaker expressing his abhorrence of age, personifying it in a way that will likely be familiar to readers of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

3.Answer the following questions.

a)   ‘Youth is full of sport, Age’s breath is short’

Explain this line with the help of an example.

Ans. Youth is the time of life when one is young, and often means the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity). During this stage we are highly active and sporty. Whereas in old age we cannot even breath properly. This is because old age is a period of decline and decline comes partly from physical and partly from psychological factors.

Example:

Young people are capable of doing various adventurous activities such as mountaineering, diving, skating etc. whereas old people prefer to do work which does not require much of physical activity.

b)   In the line ‘Age I do defy thee’, the poet is

i. asking young people to break free from the bonds of old people.

ii. challenging old age to deny what he has said about it.

iii. expressing his wish to remain young forever.

c)   In the second-last  line of the poem, the ‘shepherd’ probably refers to

i. god.     ii. death    iii. a man grazing his sheep

Discuss

1.The poet says ‘Age and Youth cannot live together’. Do you agree with this idea? Do you think the young generation can learn things from the older generation and vice versa? Discuss in class.

Ans. All generations have their own interesting qualities and contributions to the world. Old people teach younger generation key skills for living their lives successfully. However, not only the older generations have assets to teach the young, but the younger generations have things to teach the older generations too such as new technology.

Extra:

 Questions

1.What is the main idea of the poem?

– The poem contrasts youth and old age, highlighting the vibrancy of youth and the hardships of old age.

2. How does the poet describe youth?

-Youth is described as full of pleasure, boldness, energy, and liveliness, like a summer morning.

3. How is old age depicted in the poem?

-Old age is depicted as full of care, weakness, and coldness, like the harshness of winter.

4. What metaphor does the poet use for youth?

-The poet compares youth to a summer morning, bright and cheerful.

5. What metaphor does the poet use for old age?

-The poet compares old age to winter weather, cold and barren.

6. What is the poet’s attitude towards youth and age?

-The poet adores youth and abhors old age.

7. What qualities of youth are contrasted with old age?

-Youth is nimble, wild, and bold, whereas old age is lame, tame, and cold.

8. What does the poet say about his love?

-The poet says that his love is young and vibrant, aligning with the beauty of youth.

9. Why does the poet defy old age?

-The poet defies old age because it symbolizes decay and contrasts with the joyful vitality of youth.

10. What literary devices are prominent in the poem?

-The poem uses metaphors, personification, and contrast to emphasize the differences between youth and age.

Imagery

The poem is filled with rich, vivid imagery. Here are three Imagery along with its explanations:

1. “Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather”– This imagery contrasts the freshness and vitality of youth with the cold and harshness of old age.
2. “Youth is nimble, age is lame”– This creates a visual image of the agility and energy of youth compared to the slow and impaired movement of age.
3. “The smiles that win, the tints that glow”– This evokes the bright and charming expressions of youth, contrasting them with the faded demeanor of old age.

Similes

Here are two Similes along with its explanations:

1.”Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather;”-Youth is compared to a summer morning, symbolizing vitality and joy, while age is likened to winter weather, representing coldness and discomfort.

2. “Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare;”– Youth is likened to the

bravery of summer, full of vibrance and beauty, while age is compared to the barrenness of winter, signifying desolation and frailty.

Metaphor

Here are three Metaphors along with its explanations:

1. “Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather”-Youth is compared to a bright and pleasant summer morning, while age is likened to the harsh and cold weather of winter.

2. “Youth is full of sport, age’s breath is short”– Youth is described as lively and energetic, symbolizing playful activity, whereas age is portrayed as frail with short breath, indicating weakness.

3.”Youth is nimble, age is lame”– Youth is depicted as quick and agile, while age is metaphorically referred to as lame, emphasizing physical decline.

 

C)Express my feelings

The poem beautifully contrasts youth and old age. Youth is vibrant, full of energy, and adventurous, while age is frail, burdened, and restrained. It resonates with the longing to embrace the liveliness of youth and the reluctance to face the limitations of old age. The poet’s admiration for the joys of youth inspires a deep appreciation for life’s fleeting, energetic moments.