The stage in the first two lines of Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage" is compared to the world itself, with men and women portrayed as actors who "have their exits and their entrances." This metaphor establishes life as a theatrical play where people take on various roles throughout their existence
. The two are related in that the world is the "stage" on which human life unfolds, and individuals are the "players" who perform different parts or roles during their lifetime. This comparison highlights the transient and performative nature of life, where each person acts out multiple roles (the "seven ages") from infancy to old age, much like actors in a play
. Thus, the stage symbolizes the world as a setting for human life, and the players symbolize people living out the distinct phases of life, emphasizing the idea that life is a series of roles played in succession.
