The Seven Ages of Man: A Reflection on Life's Struggles - Essay Sample

Introduction

No matter what my friends say, Shakespeare was a great playwright and a very shrewd psychologist. At least, he knew what he was talking about when he wrote Jaques’ speech about seven ages of a man for his comedy As You Like It. Every age comes with its own troubles and joys, but mostly troubles. Whether you are young or old, a sweet baby girl or a middle-aged man with a beard and a beer belly, life is dull, tiresome, and meaningless. This is an approximate account of the thoughts that were lazily gyrating in my head as I was strolling past the shops toward the food court. It was a Sunday and the mall was buzzing with excitement like a bee-hive. I was surrounded by humans each of whom wanted something. A glamorous lady in glamorous sunglasses was looking for a glamorous bag. A three-year-old was wailing like a siren because he wanted both the toy fire engine and the Spiderman outfit. A lank teenager was ogling a fancy skateboard. It seemed to me I was the only person not participating in this vanity fair. I did not want a single thing. I was tired and bored. Nevertheless, I knew I had to do something if only to occupy myself. So, I bought an ice cream cone and sat down at a vacant table. And this is when I met Anna. I bet you have already heard that sometimes angels take the shape of tidy old ladies so that you dropped your guard and they could turn your whole life on its head.

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But let me start from the very beginning. As I have already said, I was sitting on a rather faceless plastic chair eating a rather faceless chocolate ice cream when I saw that a dainty old lady was approaching my table with careful slow steps. It was obvious she needed to take a seat but there were not too many free places left. So, she smiled at me pleasantly, sat right next to me, and started talking as if renewing a conversation we had started earlier. “Chocolate is my favorite ice cream flavor. It has always been. Ever since I was a little girl. And that was a long time ago, believe me. Some people grow out of it as they get older and choose something more elegant and boring, something like vanilla,” she said in a friendly manner. “I have stayed loyal to the chocolate ice cream my whole life. By the way, this is how I met my husband. There was only one scoop of chocolate ice cream left, so, he showed himself to be a true gentleman and let me have it. He did not know too many English words then to flirt with me, but I appreciated the gesture. He was so handsome with his dark gleaming eyes, sun-kissed skin, and strong hands that I could not take my eyes off him.” I did not say anything, but I guess the look on my face revealed that I had been hooked. Who would walk away from a good old love story? And, after all, I had nothing else to do.

Anna told me she was born in New York in a middle-class family. She was bright, brave, and beautiful, so, her parents hoped she would go far. This is precisely what she did, but not in the sense her parents would want her to. She left the USA and went to live in a far away country called Bulgaria. But first things first. When she met Kalin, she felt strangely drawn to this handsome, shy, and awkward young man. They sat on a park bench and made some small talk about the weather and ice cream preferences and books and movies that can only be possible between two complete strangers slowly falling in love with each other. He invited her to a dance and she agreed, to her own great surprise. Kalin danced well. She forgot about her exhausting job, her foolish flat-mates, her demanding parents when she danced with him. I could almost see the lights reflected in her eyes and hear the music in the background when I listened to her. “We were young,” she said. “When you are young, there is nothing more to life than love, is there?” I was a little confused. Her remark sounded a little like a line from a Snow Patrol song. But all lovers are the same starry-eyed naïve creatures, are they not?

Anna told me about their marriage. She could not have children but Kalin never blamed her. They had each other and did not need anyone else. He mastered English. She read countless books about Bulgarian history and culture. They learned to understand each other without words. They started to think they could live a simple life and be happy until they both die on one and the same day. After all, everyone deserves a happy and simple life. They were growing old together. Is it not what all lovers dream about? But then he fell seriously ill. He went through surgery after which he could barely walk. She quit her job and devoted her every minute to taking care of him. But the vivacious awkward youth with a beautiful smile and strong hands had given way to a tired elderly man with sad eyes. She was ready to do anything only to see him smile again. So, they decided to move to his home country. She hoped the air he had breathed as a child would make him feel better. On the plane, when he saw the green sea of mountains with sapphire beads of lakes beneath them he lightened up at once. “Now everything will be all right, darling,” he said. She believed him and even cried a little with relief. In two years, Kalin died and she moved back to the USA. He had promised never to leave her alone, but she was not angry with him. She knew death was merciful and appeased pain better than any anesthetic. “I know we will meet again,” she said. “The only thing I regret is that I will never dance with him.” She looked at me and smiled, “But I still can have my chocolate ice cream.” Her eyes twinkled.

Sometimes angels take the shape of elegant old ladies with tidy old-fashioned bags and ice cream cones. They talk about youth, love, loss, and memory in a friendly, polite, and conversational manner. And they turn your life upside down. Anna is one of them. When she finished speaking, I no longer felt bored or tired. I was ready to jump with joy because my whole life was ahead of me, because I still had time to enjoy it. Sometimes, what you really need is just a new perspective. And do you know what I did? I rushed to buy some more chocolate ice cream for me and my new friend. After all, life is a very tasty thing, no matter what Shakespeare wrote.