how would you summarize the poem "on the life of man" by Sir Walter Raleigh?

Answer 1

I think this poem finds Raleigh in reflective and bitter mood. He likens the life of man from being carried in the mother's womb to the Death itself, to the performance of a play.

The womb is the 'tiring' or attiring house, where the actors dress for the parts they are about to play.

I think that his main point is that actors are putting on a performance; they appear real and true, but they simply mirror the passion. mirth etc. of real life.

Maybe he is also suggesting that people only pretend at real emotions, and are too quick to 'play a part' in their dealings with others.

He also is looking ahead to the final 'Jest', his own death, and feels that this is fast approaching.