Student Question
What does the greenwood tree symbolize in Act 2, Scene 5 of As You Like It?
Quick answer:
In Act 2, Scene 5 of As You Like It, the greenwood tree symbolizes nature, life, fertility, and rebirth. This symbolism is evident through the rejuvenation and transformation of characters within the Forest of Arden. Characters like Oliver experience personal rebirth, reflecting their moral and emotional growth. The greenwood is linked to the harmonious and restorative qualities of nature, as well as the fertility symbolized by the marriages at the play's end.
The greenwood tree mentioned in the opening song in Act 2,
Scene 5 refers to any tree in a forest that has green leaves. A greenwood
forest has often been associated in English myths and stories with benevolent
outlaws, like Robin Hood. A greenwood tree can refer to either
an evergreen tree or even a deciduous tree
during its green, leafy season. The color
green itself is known to symbolize nature, life, and
even fertility. Nature, life, and fertility are also associated with
well-being, growth, and harmony because only that which is alive can continue
to grow, be well, and be at peace. Since green is associated with life and
fertility, the evergreen that is constantly green has become
commonly known to symbolize rebirth or rejuvenation. Hence the
greenwood in the play also symbolizes the
life, fertility, and rebirths the characters experience.
The association with fertility
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association with fertility is obvious enough to see
considering that four marriages take place at the end of the play. However, the
characters, like Robin Hood, also escape into the Forest of Arden at the climax
of life's hardships and there experience happiness while some even experience
rebirth.
Oliver is one example of a character who experiences
rebirth. At the beginning of the play, Oliver feels such an immense
jealousy for his brother Orlando that he denies him the thousand crowns their
father left Orlando in his will, plus denies Orlando the gentleman's education
also promised to him in their father's will. In short, Oliver treats Orlando
very poorly and even threatens his life both through arranging for Orlando to
fight the court's wrestler and through burning down Orlando's dwelling, but
Orlando escapes into the Forest of Arden. Oliver then pursues Orlando into the
forest with the intention of still killing him, but has a severe change
of heart when Orlando actually saves Oliver's life. While walking
through the woods, Orlando sees Oliver asleep under a tree and about to be
killed by a lioness. At first Orlando starts to just walk away, but repents and
fights and kills the lion, saving his brother's life and becoming injured in
the process. Oliver is so moved Orlando has just saved his
life that he repents his own jealousy and hatred and
is newly filled with love for his brother. This dramatic
change in Oliver can be considered a rebirth, the same rebirth
that the trees in the greenwood forest symbolize. We see
Oliver's rebirth described when, in answer to Rosalind and Celia's question if
he was the brother Orlando saved, Oliver replies:
'Twas I; but 'tis not I.--I do not shame
To tell you what I was, since my conversion
So sweetly tastes, being the thing I am. (IV.iii.135-37)
Other transformations or rebirths take place in the play as well showing us that rebirth is one of the many things greenwood tree symbolizes.