Themes: Choice Between Courtly Society and Natural World
We are at liberty to choose how we wish to live and to experience life, Shakespeare tells us in As You Like It. The most obvious choice presented to us in the play is between the civilized realm of the courtly society and the natural world of Arden. As the veteran shepherd Corin tells us, "those that are good manners at the court are ridiculous in the country as the behavior of the country is most mockable at court" (III.ii.46-47). The Forest of Arden is initially presented to us as a romanticized and idealized alternative to the cruelty of the court under Duke Frederick and the "evil" brother Oliver. The first that we hear of Duke Senior and the lords who have taken refuge in Arden is that, "They live like old Robin Hood of England" (I.i.117). While they recognize the hardships of natural life, the good Duke and his men are a merry lot, happy to trade their station at court for the freedom of the woods.
But Shakespeare also includes some negative dimensions to country life, which is seen to be physically strenuous with uncertain terrain, lions and miscreants roaming about along with bumpkins and rural fools. When Touchstone is asked by Corin how he likes life as a shepherd, the jester answers: "In respect that it is solitary, I like it very well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile life" (II.ii.15-16). Since "solitary" and "private" are virtual synonyms, the clown's opinion seems meaningless; in fact, it encompasses a broader point made time and time again in the play: that our experience of anything is largely a product of how we look at it and define it.
Expert Q&A
In As You Like It, what's the theme of town versus country life?
The theme of town versus country life in "As You Like It" contrasts the corrupt, treacherous court with the idyllic, yet challenging, natural environment of the Forest of Arden. The forest symbolizes freedom and purity, allowing characters to escape the corrupting influence of court life. By the play's end, transformations in characters like Oliver and Duke Frederick highlight that virtue or villainy stems from human nature, not location, suggesting a balance between the two worlds.
What is the role of nature in Shakespeare's As You Like It?
Nature in "As You Like It" serves as a powerful theme and setting that contrasts the corruption of city life with the healing qualities of the pastoral Forest of Arden. Characters like Oliver and Duke Frederick undergo transformative journeys in the forest, highlighting nature's restorative power. Moreover, acting contrary to nature, such as usurpation and disguise, drives the plot and central conflicts, ultimately leading to resolution and character growth within the natural setting.
How does this quote from Milton's Paradise Lost relate to the pastoral theme in As You Like It and Jacques' negativity towards the deer?
"The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven…" (John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I).
Milton's quote from Paradise Lost highlights the power of perspective in shaping one's reality, a theme also seen in "As You Like It." Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden exemplifies this by viewing exile as a positive, pastoral life, thus making a "heaven of hell." In contrast, Jacques' negativity towards the deer reflects a pessimistic outlook, aligning with Milton's idea that the mind can turn "a heaven of hell." This illustrates how attitude shapes experience.
What do Rosalind and Celia discuss about fortune and nature in As You Like It, Act 1, Scene 2?
In Act 1, Scene 2 of As You Like It, Rosalind and Celia discuss the concepts of fortune and nature. Celia proposes that fortune, which distributes gifts unevenly, should be mocked for its unfairness. Rosalind argues that fortune gives gifts to the wrong people and is particularly harsh on women. They debate how fortune affects beauty and morals, with Rosalind noting that nature determines one's qualities, while fortune influences one's fate. Their discussion is interrupted by Touchstone, a "natural fool."
Explain this quote from As You Like It, Act 1, Scene 3: "Now go we in content / To liberty and not to banishment."
This quote from Act 1, Scene 3 reflects Celia and Rosalind's optimistic outlook as they face banishment. Despite being forced to leave the court, they perceive their exile as a path to freedom rather than punishment. This transformation of adversity into a positive opportunity illustrates the power of the mind to reframe negative situations, highlighting the theme of resilience and the pursuit of liberty in Shakespeare's play.
Contrasts between court life and pastoral life in As You Like It
As You Like It contrasts court life and pastoral life by highlighting the corrupt, political, and stressful nature of the court, as opposed to the simplicity, freedom, and honesty found in the pastoral setting of the Forest of Arden. The court represents societal constraints and ambition, while the pastoral life symbolizes natural harmony and personal contentment.
An analysis of the pastoral elements in Shakespeare's "As You Like It."
"As You Like It" features several pastoral elements, such as the idyllic Forest of Arden, which serves as a contrast to the corrupt court life. Characters find refuge and undergo personal growth in this natural setting, embracing simplicity and harmony with nature. The play idealizes rural life, highlighting themes of love, redemption, and the restorative power of the natural world.
Country vs. Court Life Debate in As You Like It
In As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 2, Touchstone and Corin engage in a debate about the merits of country versus court life. Touchstone criticizes country life for its solitude, lack of social gatherings, and perceived lack of manners, preferring the abundance and society of court life. Corin counters by highlighting the simplicity, honesty, and contentment found in country life, arguing that it offers genuine happiness and moral integrity. The debate underscores the theme that life is subjective and depends on individual perspective.
What are the symbolic representations of the court and forest in As You Like It?
In "As You Like It," the court symbolizes fear, danger, and discord, epitomized by brutal wrestling matches and the theme of brotherly betrayal. In contrast, the Forest of Arden represents personal liberty and harmony, allowing characters like Orlando and Rosalind to express themselves freely. Although not depicted as a utopia—evidenced by imperfect weather and interpersonal conflicts—Arden fosters unity, unlike the divisive court. The play concludes with a balance, as characters find their rightful places.
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