Students' Digest - William Shakespeare's "AS YOU LIKE IT"

Introduction: 

 As You Like It, (Written and performed about 1599 and first published in 1623) five-act comedy by English playwright and poet William Shakespeare, with its engaging characters, situations, and mix-ups, delights the theater goers. Based on the prose romance  Rosalynde (1590) by Thomas Lodge, a pastoral romance of the sentimental type, Shakespeare’s As You Like It becomes a portrait of innocence rural life as well as a satire on the conventional sentimental pastoral comedy. Again Shakespeare transforms Lodge's sentimental Rosalynde into the witty, strong, and warm-hearted main character Rosalind. 

As You Like It is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular pastoral comedies. The play explores themes of love, identity, freedom, and the contrasts between life at court and in the countryside. It is set in the Forest of Arden, where the characters find solace, confront their desires, and discover new possibilities for life.

Plot Summary:

The play begins in the court of Duke Frederick, where we are introduced to two key families: Duke Senior, who has been exiled by his usurping brother Duke Frederick, and the nobleman Sir Rowland de Bois’s family. Orlando, the younger son of Sir Rowland, is mistreated by his elder brother, Oliver. Meanwhile, Duke Senior lives in the Forest of Arden with his loyal followers.

  • Act I: Orlando flees from his brother’s wrath, and Rosalind, Duke Senior’s daughter, is banished from court by Duke Frederick. Rosalind disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede, and her cousin Celia (Frederick’s daughter) accompanies her in disguise as Aliena. Together with the clown Touchstone, they set off for the Forest of Arden.

  • Act II-IV: In the forest, Orlando, also hiding, writes poems about his love for Rosalind. Unaware of Ganymede's true identity, Orlando encounters "him" and seeks advice on wooing Rosalind. Meanwhile, other characters experience romantic entanglements: Touchstone woos the shepherdess Audrey, and the melancholic Jacques delivers his famous soliloquy "All the world’s a stage."

  • Act V: In a joyous resolution, multiple couples come together. Rosalind reveals her true identity, reconciliations occur, and the rightful Duke Senior is restored to power. The play concludes with several marriages, including those of Rosalind and Orlando, Celia and Oliver, and Touchstone and Audrey.

Key Themes:

 The theme is a series of variations of love at first sight. We find so many love pairs here:  Rosalind and Orlando, Phoebe and Rosalind, Silvius and Phoebe, Oliver and Celia, Audrey, William, and Touchstone. Again contrast is an abiding theme of the play. The action is set in the contrasting arenas of the English court, with its strict ritual and predictability; and the deep forest (Arden), where the constraints of everyday life vanish. Two of the play’s characters, who do not have a basis in Lodge’s work, are a study in contrast as well. One is Touchstone, the jester; the other is the melancholy Jacques, a representative of the malcontent spirit. The play is also an observation about the deceptive nature of appearances; Rosalind disguises herself as a man (Ganymede) in order to woo her love, Orlando, and manages to attract the amorous attention of Phebe. Interestingly, several key scenes between Rosalind and Orlando are in prose, rather than verse.
The five acts might be summed up as

(I)         Betrayal & Banishment, courtly life  
(II)        Disguise in the forest
(III)       Rosalind's love cure, love pairs tweeting
(IV)      The advent of Oliver, and
(V)       The solution and happiness all around with merry wedding.

In General the themes are:

  1. Love: The play presents various types of love—romantic love, familial love, and friendship. Love is portrayed in both its idealized and foolish forms. Rosalind and Orlando’s love is sincere, while Touchstone’s pursuit of Audrey offers a more comedic view of relationships.

  2. Disguise and Identity: Disguise is central to the plot, especially with Rosalind dressing as Ganymede. This allows her to explore her identity and navigate love in a way that would be impossible otherwise. The theme also raises questions about gender roles and the fluidity of identity.

  3. Pastoral Life vs. Court Life: The contrast between life at the corrupt, political court and the simplicity of the Forest of Arden is a major theme. The forest represents freedom and natural harmony, while the court is associated with deception and power struggles.

  4. The Nature of Human Experience: Jacques’ soliloquy "All the world’s a stage" reflects on the stages of life, offering a philosophical perspective on human existence and the inevitable passage of time.

There are also many interesting and vital subjects to discuss throughout the play: girlhood - friendships (Celia and Rosalind); devotion of servitors (Adam and Orlando); the cynical Point of view (Jacques); violent crushes (Phoebe and Rosalind); the test of love (Rosalind and Orlando); the changes love makes (Oliver); humor as a help in life (Touchstone); Nature in our lives etc.

Settings:

Much of the charm of As You Like It is the atmosphere of the forest Arden, in which a good deal of the action takes place accompanied by song. Audiences respond to the forest setting in this comedy. They like the songs. Under the Greenwood Tree; Blow, Blow, thou Winter Wind; what shall he have that Killed the Deer? It Was a Lover and his Lass; and Wedding is Great Juno’s Crown should be sung. Lines like “Sweet are the uses of adversity” in Act II, Scene 1, and "All the world’s a stage," in Act II, Scene 7, is immortal.

Major Characters:

  • Rosalind: The play’s heroine, witty and resourceful, who disguises herself as Ganymede. She represents intelligence, independence, and romantic idealism.

  • Orlando: The noble but mistreated younger son of Sir Rowland, who falls in love with Rosalind and shows great courage and sincerity.

  • Celia: Rosalind’s cousin and close friend, who remains loyal and accompanies her into exile.

  • Duke Senior: The rightful Duke who has been exiled by his brother and lives contentedly in the Forest of Arden.

  • Jaques: A melancholic and philosophical follower of Duke Senior, known for his reflective and often cynical outlook on life.

  • Touchstone: The court jester who accompanies Rosalind and Celia, adding humor to the play with his witty remarks and comedic romance with Audrey.

Famous Quotes:

  • “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.”
    — Jaques, Act II, Scene VII. This speech is one of Shakespeare's most famous, presenting life as a series of stages from birth to death.

  • “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
    — Touchstone, Act V, Scene I. A reflection on wisdom and self-awareness.

  • “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.”
    — Rosalind, Act III, Scene II. This line highlights Rosalind’s sharp wit and her ability to navigate social conventions with humor and insight.

Why Study As You Like It?

  • Language and Style: Shakespeare’s use of prose and verse in As You Like It is masterful. The play includes a rich variety of poetic language, humor, and clever wordplay that illustrates Shakespeare’s linguistic brilliance.

  • Exploration of Gender: Rosalind’s disguise as Ganymede allows for an exploration of gender roles and expectations, making the play relevant to contemporary discussions on identity and equality.

  • Philosophical Insights: The play offers deep reflections on life, love, and human nature, especially through the character of Jaques and his famous soliloquy on the stages of life.

  • Timeless Themes: The themes of love, identity, and the contrast between different ways of life (rural vs. urban) continue to resonate with audiences today.

Study Tips:

  1. Understand the Themes: Focus on the major themes of love, identity, and nature vs. civilization. These provide a framework for understanding the characters' motivations and the plot's progression.

  2. Analyze the Language: Pay attention to the language used by different characters, especially Rosalind. Shakespeare's wordplay and the use of metaphors add depth to the play.

  3. Helen Miller acting as Rosalind

    Consider Historical Context: Understanding the Elizabethan attitudes toward gender roles, class, and society can enhance your understanding of the play’s subtleties.

  4. Watch a Performance: As You Like It is meant to be seen, not just read. Watching a live or recorded performance can provide additional insight into character interactions and the play’s humor.

Conclusion:

As You Like It is a delightful exploration of love, identity, and the human experience, wrapped in Shakespeare's signature wit and wisdom. Through its vibrant characters and comedic twists, the play invites readers to reflect on the joys and challenges of life, making it an enduring masterpiece in the canon of English literature.

Ardhendu De

References: 1.Long, W. J. (2019). English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World. Good Press.
                   2.Albert, E., & Stone, J. A. (1979). History of English Literature.
                    3.Shakespeare, W. (2009). As You Like It. Cambridge University Press.
"Dear Readers and Students, I am a huge fan of books, English grammar, and literature. I write this blog to instill that passion in you. Whether you're a student, an English literature enthusiast, or just looking to expand your literary horizons, “AD's English Literature” is the perfect resource for all your literary needs." Ardhendu De, An English Teacher; M. A.(English) , D. Ed., B. Ed., UGC- NET Qualified

Comments

  1. DeepaliSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Thank you so much Sir....

    Sir, please tell me about formalism and formalistic criticism and critic and .....
    Bakhtin diolgisam

    ReplyDelete

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