ACT 6: Wearing spectacles, she is weak and lean at this act. But the inner strength has increased a thousand fold. She can now confidently face this harsh world, the world that has once snatched her life and dreams from her. Whether her family has supported her or not, she realized her children’s dreams. May be when she required the support of her husband, he was not there. But now she is always there by his side, supporting his each step in his second childishness. She is silent and phlegmatic but her actions speak. This is her way of saying that when I needed your support you were not there but, I am not “you”.

ACT 7: The last scene ends it all. She may be without teeth, without taste and without proper eyesight. But these things are small worthless pebbles in comparison to the brilliant diamonds of confidence, courage, strength, motivation and happiness she possess. In act 1 she was a dark valueless piece of a coal but with the pressure of this world she has evolved as the perfect diamond. A diamond whose brilliance will never fade. Flawless as her own existence.

Coming back to the question, in Indian culture, a girl is taught that her existence is completely dependent on men. When she is a child, she is dependent on her father, after marriage on her husband and later on, she is dependent on her son. And the men misinterpreted this statement and have always dominated over women. It was done to stabilize the family system not for dominance.

Thus even Shakespeare listed the stages of men’s life. But men and women are complementary to each other. In fact they complete each other. Concluding, women do not require worldly possessions, because her most priced possessions are her children. The best tribute you can pay to a woman is by just respecting them and loving them. Because they do not need valuables from us as they are the "diamonds" within.

(PS: do read the Shakespeare original poem.)

ORIGINAL POEM (from AS YOU LIKE IT):

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,

Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,

In fair round belly with good capon lined,

With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,

His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teet