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
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.
The Forest of Arden's Role and Reality in As You Like It
In Shakespeare's As You Like It, the Forest of Arden plays a crucial role as a refuge from the oppressive court, embodying the pastoral ideal of simplicity and healing. It contrasts with the corrupt court life, offering a space for self-discovery and transformation, as seen in characters like Duke Senior and Oliver. The forest is depicted as a "green world," symbolizing freedom and truth, though not without its challenges. While it draws on the real Forest of Arden near Stratford, it may also allude to the Ardennes in Belgium.
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 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."
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
