As You Like It
The forest of Arden is the setting where the majority of As You Like It takes place. As inhabitants of the court enter the forest they experience people and an environment very different from what they are accustomed to and each perceive this experience differently. The environment is consistent so how each character views the forest as an alternative to life in the court reveals insights into the nature of the characters. The forest of Arden can invoke paradisiacal sentiments for some but feelings of meagerness for others but most find the forest a simple place of escape from the city. Only from a pastoral perspective can one truly see the full effects of nature on characters just as only from a fortune-or courtly perspective-can we see how characters are limited and confined from full enjoyment of pastoral life. The extent to which characters can adapt to the forest of Arden and accept such a life not only reveals insights into the true nature of characters but it also attempts to answer whether or not people are better suited to live in the country or the court. The audience's first impression of the forest of Arden is from Charles, the undefeated wrestler whom Orlando is about to defeat. Charles informs Oliver, in regard t
The lion and serpent are also thematic tools, representing "venom and fury, they symbolically accept the burden of the venom and fury generated by the Cain and Abel contest of Oliver and Orlando" (McFarland 103). This enables him to maintain a tone of dominance over the country dwellers that result in his ability to control conversation and, in effect, their actions. Orlando's experience is rather different from that of Rosalind and Celia. Since both Rosalind and Celia are dressed as shepherd and shepherdess respectively, they free themselves from any physical ties with their past courtly lives and are free to enjoying the ambivalent atmosphere of the country. On the other hand, Oliver and Celia, two figures that had bourgeoisie status in court abandon all to live in nature as shepherds. " Such an overstatement is not justified but it does exemplify the fact that the forest of Arden is a place where people can get what they want out of it. Touchstone is the main source of comedy in the play and one major vehicle for his comedy is to play on the various perspectives of others in regard to country life. Shakespeare gives examples of these, even the extreme positions held by Jacques and Touchstone, to portray a wide range of beliefs for those who favor country life and those who prefer the court. He is uncorrupt and trustworthy, perhaps naive as well, and this is noted in Orlando's remark that "thou art not for the fashion of these times" (31). He has been repressed and treated in contempt by his older brother, Oliver, who we find out is going to kill him. Orlando lets the audience and Duke Senior know that he has internalized his new environment for his analogy that, "like a doe, I go to find my fawn and give it food" (43), reflects his newly found pastoral surroundings. Although the forest of Arden gives its courtly guests the atmosphere to let go of the constraints of society and search for an ideal life, most characters have constrained themselves by bringing their own reality with them. Adam appears unsuited to courtly life as well for he values his friend, Orlando, so highly that he is willing to give his complete servitude and his savings. This is especially true for Orlando and Adam who are escaping their own deaths in the city and entering the country with dreams of a simpler life.
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Acceptance Essays
