‘Human Seasons’ and ‘River of Life’ are common metaphors used by poets. While they celebrate the joys of spring and the rush of life, they also ponder the challenges of summer and winter, much like philosophers do. In fact, each of us, whether we possess a poetic soul or a philosophical mind, has been inspired by the innocence of infancy and the optimism of youth, faced the struggles of manhood, and experienced the disillusionment of old age. We all encounter universal joy and disappointment. However, it is improper to divide life into quarters; it is a coherent whole, to be lived fully.

In youth, we learn to appreciate beauty around us. It’s when love, passion, dreams, and ideals blossom in our hearts. Bold lovers, indifferent to societal norms, remain lost in each other’s embrace. The idealism of young Shelley, the rebellious spirit of young Byron, the sensitivity of romantic Keats, the thirst for knowledge in Dr. Faustus, and the moral nature of Hamlet all inspire the youth. Society, with its norms, tries to regulate this wild spirit, which the young often see as restrictive. Many view society not as a benefactor but as an exploiter. While not everyone seeks reform, many desire to exist as individuals, free from societal control over their passionate quests and unconventional aims.

Youth is often seen as a blunder. What makes youthful exuberance a series of blunders? In dreaming and enjoying, we forget our earthly existence, ignore limits, and fail to realize that youth is just one part of our existence.

Youth becomes a blunder when we fail to understand what is more concrete and important. The precious time for realizing noble ideals is wasted on trivial activities. Instead of pursuing reasonable ambitions, we remain engrossed in illusions. Illusions are bound to break, and so are those who nurture them. Youth is the phase that shapes the future. Mistakes are inevitable, as experience perfects our thinking.

To understand manhood’s struggle, we should look at our parents, whose actions may seem contradictory to our beliefs. Their approach to life may appear rigid, dull, and unromantic. Yet, they adapt to drastic changes from romance and adventure to restraint and struggle. Often, we are moved by the hard work of our parents, providing the best for us. The poignant plight of mothers who sacrifice their dreams is particularly moving.

Old age, as Keats metaphorically describes, is the winter of human life, reminding us of our mortality. After enjoying youth and enduring manhood, one reaches a stage where the end is visible. Death is life’s ultimate reality. The stage of old age, whether glorious or miserable, depends on how one accepts this reality. Those who see old age as an opportunity to serve humanity enjoy simple joys with a positive outlook. Conversely, those who lament lost opportunities, unachieved goals, and life’s suffering make their old age a period of misery. Attitudes and perceptions shape life. It’s up to us whether to find strength in what remains or to regret what life has taken away.

Old age is not merely regret. While despair and grief may be more prominent in old age, the sense of loss can be overwhelming. People might crave more sensual pleasures as they age, but poets like Yeats were disgusted with old age because, while seeking spiritual knowledge, they didn’t want to lose bodily delights. Yeats described an aged man as a “paltry thing,” with a restless heart attached to a dying body.

Disgust is understandable when one reflects on past actions and achievements. In old age, people tend to be reflective, often brooding in solitude. Life’s merriment no longer appeals to the old and forlorn. The entire life spent fulfilling dreams and desires culminates either in dignified peace and contentment or in morbid misery.

Benjamin Disraeli’s quote, “Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle and old age, regret,” holds some truth but is not absolute. Youth, despite its blunders, is a fertile ground for dreams and talents. Most creative work, achievements, and inventions come from the youth. It would be incorrect to label it merely as a blunder. As Lowell suggests, in the pursuit of fresh air, some windows are bound to break. Manhood, despite being a struggle, is meaningful, concrete, and rewarding. Old age need not be regretful; it can be the perfection of life. For some, life may seem like a series of blunders, struggles, and regrets, but this is a pessimistic view. The players on life’s stage perform their roles and depart, leaving behind their struggles and regrets. What endures is how well they have lived and understood life.