The man in the poem goes through these stages all expressed in a sardonic when not bitter tone:

Infancy: In this stage he is a helpless baby and knows little.

Whining schoolboy: It is in that stage of life that he begins to go to school. He is unwilling to leave the protected environment of his home as he
is still not confident enough to exercise his own discretion.

The lover: In this stage he is always sentimental, expressing his love in a silly and pointless manner. He makes himself ridiculous in trying to
express his feelings.

The soldier: He is very easily aroused and is hot-headed. He is always working towards making a reputation for himself, however short-lived it
may be, even at the cost of foolish risks.

The justice: In this stage he thinks he has acquired wisdom through the many experiences he has had in life, and is likely to impart it. He has
reached a stage where he has gained prosperity and social status. He becomes vain and begins to enjoy the finer things of life.

Old Age: He is a shell of his former self — physically and mentally. He begins to become the butt of others' jokes. He loses his firmness and
assertiveness, and shrinks in stature and personality.

Incapacity: Dependent on others for care and unable to interact with the world, he experiences "second innocence, and mere oblivion."