As You Like It - William Shakespeare

Summary

"As You Like It" is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare that follows the heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. Disguised as a young man named Ganymede, and accompanied by her cousin Celia (disguised as Aliena) and the jester Touchstone, Rosalind encounters a diverse group of characters, including her beloved Orlando, who has also been driven from the court. The play explores themes of love, identity, nature versus court life, and the transformative power of the forest. Multiple love triangles and mistaken identities unfold, culminating in a series of marriages and the restoration of order as the tyrannical duke repents and Duke Senior is reinstated to his rightful place.

Book Sections

Section 1 (Act I)

The play opens in the duchy of Duke Frederick, a usurper who has banished his elder brother, Duke Senior, and taken his court. Orlando, the youngest son of the deceased Sir Rowland de Boys, complains about his elder brother, Oliver, who withholds his rightful inheritance and refuses to educate him as a gentleman. Oliver, cruel and resentful of Orlando's popularity, plans to rid himself of his brother by encouraging him to wrestle the Duke's champion, Charles, a notoriously strong man.

At Duke Frederick's court, Rosalind, the banished Duke Senior's daughter, is kept as a companion for her cousin Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter. The two are inseparable. Charles arrives to warn Duke Frederick about a potential rebellion and mentions Orlando's upcoming wrestling match. Despite concerns for Orlando's safety, Rosalind and Celia are captivated by his charm and bravery. Rosalind immediately falls in love with Orlando, and he with her, after he defeats Charles.

Duke Frederick, however, suddenly and arbitrarily banishes Rosalind, fearing her popularity and her resemblance to her father might inspire a rebellion. Celia, loyal to her cousin, refuses to stay without her and decides to accompany Rosalind into exile. To ensure their safety during their journey to the Forest of Arden, they decide to disguise themselves: Rosalind as a young man named Ganymede, and Celia as a poor country girl named Aliena. They are joined by the cynical court jester, Touchstone.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Orlando	Youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, noble, brave, honorable, athletic, passionate, eloquent.	To claim his rightful inheritance and education from his brother; to prove his worth; to win the love of Rosalind.
Oliver	Eldest brother to Orlando and Jaques de Boys, cruel, greedy, envious, deceitful, resentful.	To keep Orlando's inheritance for himself; to eliminate Orlando due to jealousy of his popularity and good nature.
Adam	An old, loyal, and faithful servant of the de Boys family.	To serve Orlando faithfully; to protect and care for Orlando due to his loyalty to the family.
Duke Frederick	Usurping duke, tyrannical, suspicious, volatile, arbitrary.	To maintain his power; to prevent any perceived threats to his rule, even imagined ones; to suppress his brother's sympathizers.
Rosalind	Daughter of Duke Senior, witty, intelligent, charming, resourceful, deeply in love, courageous, assumes disguise Ganymede.	To survive exile; to reunite with her father; to be near Orlando; to test Orlando's love; to use her wit to manipulate situations.
Celia	Daughter of Duke Frederick, loyal, devoted, kind, compassionate, assumes disguise Aliena.	Out of deep love and loyalty to Rosalind, she chooses to share her cousin's exile; to help Rosalind.
Touchstone	A court jester, cynical, witty, observant, often speaks uncomfortable truths, uses wordplay.	To provide comic relief and commentary; to accompany Rosalind and Celia out of duty and perhaps affection; to find a simple life and a companion in Arden.
Charles	Duke Frederick's champion wrestler, strong, confident, but respectful.	To maintain his reputation as the Duke's champion; to follow the Duke's orders; initially, to defeat Orlando and protect Oliver's family honor.
Le Beau	A courtier at Duke Frederick's court, a bit foppish.	To deliver messages and report on court events; to stay in the Duke's good graces; to inform Rosalind and Celia about court goings-on.

Section 2 (Act II)

In the pastoral Forest of Arden, Duke Senior lives with his loyal followers, having embraced a life of freedom and simplicity amidst nature. He finds "tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." Among his followers is the melancholy Jaques, who famously philosophizes on human nature and the various stages of life.

Meanwhile, Orlando, having fled Oliver's wrath and been advised by the faithful servant Adam, also arrives in the Forest of Arden. Adam, old and frail, collapses from hunger. Orlando bravely ventures out and, finding Duke Senior and his men feasting, demands food for himself and Adam. Duke Senior, recognizing Orlando's noble spirit, welcomes them to his company.

Rosalind (as Ganymede), Celia (as Aliena), and Touchstone, having also arrived in Arden, encounter the shepherd Corin and his master Silvius. Silvius is hopelessly in love with the disdainful shepherdess Phebe. Rosalind, touched by Corin's honesty and the simple life of the shepherds, decides to buy their cottage and flock, settling into their new lives.

Orlando, lovesick for Rosalind, begins carving her name on trees and hanging poetic verses throughout the forest. Rosalind (as Ganymede) and Celia (as Aliena) discover his lovesick poetry.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Duke Senior	Rightful duke, banished by his brother, philosophical, benevolent, finds solace and wisdom in nature.	To live peacefully in exile; to enjoy the freedom and simplicity of the pastoral life; to eventually reclaim his dukedom.
Amiens	A lord attending Duke Senior in exile, singer.	To serve Duke Senior loyally; to provide entertainment and cheer for the banished company.
Jaques	A lord attending Duke Senior, deeply melancholic, contemplative, cynical, eloquent, observes human folly.	To reflect on life and human nature; to observe the world from a detached perspective; to find meaning (or lack thereof) in existence.
Corin	An old shepherd, wise, honest, simple, practical, contented with his humble life.	To live a honest life as a shepherd; to guide and advise Silvius; to maintain his flock and livelihood.
Silvius	A young shepherd, deeply and hopelessly in love with Phebe, submissive, poetic.	To win Phebe's love, despite her scorn; to express his intense devotion.

Section 3 (Act III)

Back at the court, Duke Frederick, enraged by Orlando's disappearance and learning of his connection to Duke Senior, confiscates Oliver's lands and commands him to find Orlando or face death. Oliver, still harboring malice, sets off for Arden.

In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind (as Ganymede) encounters Orlando, who is still adorning trees with verses to Rosalind. Not knowing Ganymede's true identity, Orlando confesses his love for Rosalind. Seizing the opportunity, Ganymede offers to "cure" Orlando of his love by having him woo Ganymede as if Ganymede were Rosalind. This playful deception allows Rosalind to gauge Orlando's true feelings and to spend time with him. They engage in witty banter and a mock marriage ceremony.

Meanwhile, Touchstone, embracing the rustic life, pursues the simple-minded goat-herd Audrey. He plans to marry her with the help of Sir Oliver Martext, a local vicar. However, Jaques, observing their crude courtship, advises against such a hasty and ill-conceived union, suggesting they marry in a proper church.

Silvius continues to pine for Phebe, who remains disdainful of him. When Ganymede (Rosalind) and Aliena (Celia) observe Silvius pleading with Phebe, Ganymede intervenes, harshly criticizing Phebe for her cruelty and vanity. Paradoxically, Phebe immediately falls in love with the sharp-tongued Ganymede. This creates a complex web of unrequited love: Silvius loves Phebe, Phebe loves Ganymede, Ganymede (Rosalind) loves Orlando, and Orlando loves Rosalind.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Phebe	A shepherdess, proud, scornful of Silvius, easily infatuated, somewhat vain.	To reject Silvius's advances; to pursue her sudden infatuation with Ganymede; to maintain her independence.
Audrey	A simple, uneducated goat-herd, easily swayed, somewhat foolish, honest in her simplicity.	To marry Touchstone; to improve her social standing (however slightly); to find a companion.
William	A country fellow, simple, loves Audrey, but is easily deterred.	To marry Audrey; to secure a partner.
Sir Oliver Martext	A country vicar, somewhat bumbling and ineffective.	To perform marriage ceremonies; to earn a living.

Section 4 (Act IV)

Rosalind, still disguised as Ganymede, continues her "cure" for Orlando's lovesickness, further testing his devotion and wit. She makes him promise to visit her every day.

Oliver, driven by Duke Frederick's decree, enters the Forest of Arden. He encounters a sleeping Orlando who is about to be attacked by a lioness. Despite their past animosity, Orlando heroically saves his brother from the lioness and a venomous snake, suffering a bite himself. This act of brotherly love deeply moves Oliver, who undergoes a profound change of heart, repenting his past cruelty.

Oliver returns to the cottage of Aliena and Ganymede to inform them of Orlando's injury and his transformation. He carries a bloody handkerchief as proof. Aliena (Celia) is immediately captivated by the reformed Oliver, and a swift romance blossoms between them. They quickly decide to marry.

Phebe, still smitten with Ganymede, sends Silvius with a love letter to Ganymede. Ganymede reads the letter, which is filled with passionate declarations, and scolds Silvius again for Phebe's pride and misguided affection.

The news of Oliver and Aliena's impending marriage, and Oliver's transformation, reaches Orlando, who expresses joy for his brother but laments his own longing for Rosalind. Rosalind, though pleased by the developments, feels increasingly restless and yearns to reveal her true identity and marry Orlando.

Section 5 (Act V)

The various entangled lovers gather: Orlando, Oliver, Celia (Aliena), and Rosalind (Ganymede). Silvius arrives, still bearing Phebe's message for Ganymede, and Phebe soon follows.

Ganymede (Rosalind), seeing the complicated web of affections – Silvius loves Phebe, Phebe loves Ganymede, Ganymede (Rosalind) loves Orlando, and Oliver loves Aliena (Celia) – promises to resolve all their romantic predicaments on the next day. She makes a solemn vow to Orlando that she will produce Rosalind, and to Phebe that if she marries anyone, it will be Ganymede; but if Ganymede fails to appear, Phebe must marry Silvius. All agree to these terms.

The next day, as everyone gathers, including Duke Senior, Ganymede disappears and returns as Rosalind, no longer in disguise. She explains her deception and is joyfully reunited with her father and Orlando. Hymen, the god of marriage, appears to bless the union and solemnize the four marriages: Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Touchstone and Audrey, and Silvius and Phebe (as Phebe, seeing Rosalind revealed, honors her promise to marry Silvius).

Just as the celebrations begin, news arrives from Jaques de Boys (Oliver and Orlando's third brother) that Duke Frederick, on his way to wage war against Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden, encountered a religious hermit. This encounter caused Duke Frederick to repent his wicked ways, renounce the world, and restore the dukedom to his brother.

The play ends with joyous feasting, dancing, and the restoration of harmony and justice, as all characters find their rightful place and happiness. Jaques, the melancholic, decides to join Duke Frederick in his monastic life rather than return to court.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Hymen	The classical god of marriage, symbol of divine order.	To solemnize the multiple marriages and bring a magical resolution to the plot.

Literary Genre

"As You Like It" is primarily a Pastoral Comedy and a Romantic Comedy.

• Pastoral Comedy: It is set in an idealized rural world (the Forest of Arden) where characters escape the artificiality and dangers of court life, find love, and achieve self-discovery.
• Romantic Comedy: It features a love plot that ends happily, often involving disguises, mistaken identities, witty banter, and a journey toward understanding and fulfillment in relationships.

Author Facts

• William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
• He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon."
• His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship.
• His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
• Shakespeare was a key member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a playing company that later became the King's Men under James I.

Morale and Curiosities

Morale

The play explores several moral themes:

• The Healing Power of Nature: The Forest of Arden acts as a sanctuary where characters escape the corruption of the court and undergo moral transformation, finding peace, love, and self-awareness.
• Love Triumphs Over Adversity: Despite banishment, usurpation, and family feuds, love prevails, bringing about reconciliation and happiness for all.
• The Transformative Power of Disguise and Experience: Rosalind's disguise as Ganymede allows her to test Orlando's love, gain insight, and manipulate situations to bring about desired outcomes, highlighting the idea that experience and self-discovery can lead to personal growth.
• The Superiority of Simple Life over Court Intrigue: The play contrasts the wholesome, honest life in the forest with the deceit and danger of Duke Frederick's court, suggesting that true happiness and virtue are found in simplicity and natural living.
• Forgiveness and Redemption: Oliver's sudden change of heart and Duke Frederick's repentance emphasize the possibility of redemption, even for the most wicked characters.

Curiosities

• "All the world's a stage": The play features one of Shakespeare's most famous monologues, Jaques' "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players," which describes the seven ages of man.
• Gender-bending and Cross-dressing: Rosalind's disguise as Ganymede is central to the plot. In Shakespeare's time, female roles were played by young men, meaning a boy actor would have been playing a female character (Rosalind) disguised as a male character (Ganymede), adding layers of theatrical irony and comedic potential to the identity confusion.
• Source Material: The play is largely based on Thomas Lodge's pastoral romance Rosalynde, Euphues' Golden Legacy (1590). Shakespeare borrowed heavily from the plot but added characters like Jaques and Touchstone.
• Pastoral Idealism: "As You Like It" is a quintessential example of pastoral literature, celebrating the simplicity and innocence of rural life while critiquing the artificiality and corruption of urban or courtly existence.
• Music and Song: The play is notable for its numerous songs and musical interludes, such as "Under the Greenwood Tree" and "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind," which enhance its idyllic atmosphere and contribute to its lyrical quality.