This drawing is for The Seven Ages of Man (1835-38, Victoria and Albert Museum), a painting based on the famous soliloquy in William Shakespeare's As You Like It (Act II, Scene VII). According to ...

Shakespeare had the support of a number of patrons ... who embraced the bard’s acting company as his own - The King’s Men. Over time, many other groups were equally keen to associate ...

Shakespeare’s play highlights the flawed character of a man who wanted to be ... withered hag,” thus disparaging her older age. He refers to Queen Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV, as a ...