As You Like It Group

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dbrandi
dbrandi

What did Shakespeare intend in writing -

"Sweet are the uses of adversity..." in Act II, scene 1 of As You Like It.

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Posted by dbrandi on Friday October 16, 2009 at 8:50 AM and tagged with act ii, quote.

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  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    At this point in the play, the Duke, father to Rosalind and uncle to Celia, has been exiled and is living in the forest of Arden.

    In the lines you cite, he is talking about how much he likes living in the forest better than he liked living at court.  He admits that there is "adversity" (he cites the cold in particular) but says that the adversity is good for him.  The adversity is useful because it teaches him about who he really is.

    When Shakespeare wrote these lines, he was arguing that rural, simple life is authentic and is more wholesome and honest than life at court.  He is praising country life and criticizing court life.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/as-you-like-it/act-ii-scene-1

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Friday October 16, 2009 at 6:23 PM