Here are some examples:
* "And one man in his time plays many parts," - This line gives a theatrical quality to the entirety of life, suggesting a stage upon which each individual acts out their roles. The "parts" themselves become metaphorical representations of life's stages.
* "At first, the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms," - The infant, although incapable of conscious thought, is described as "mewling" and "puking" as if it were actively performing these actions. This emphasizes the helpless and dependent nature of infancy.
* "Then, the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school," - The school-boy is personified through his actions of "whining" and "creeping," highlighting the reluctance and burden of education. The "morning face" becomes an almost-human entity reflecting the youthful energy and excitement that quickly fades.
* "And then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow," - The lover is described as "sighing like furnace," a dramatic metaphor that suggests the intense emotions and longing of love. This personifies the lover's heart as a furnace, burning with passion.
* "And then a justice, in fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut," - This description uses personification to portray the judge as a figure of authority and judgment. The "round belly" and "formal cut beard" become physical attributes that symbolize the justice's seriousness and power.
* "In second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything," - The final stage of old age is personified through the absence of senses and abilities. "Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything" is a powerful image of decay and fading life.
Throughout the speech, Shakespeare uses descriptive language that imbues these stages of life with personality and meaning, even though they are not inherently sentient. He creates a theatrical representation of human life, emphasizing its inherent drama and the various roles we play throughout our existence.