As You Like It Themes
“As You Like It” by William Shakespeare explores several themes that are woven into the fabric of the play. Some of the prominent themes include:
Pastoral Life:
The contrast between the court and the Forest of Arden highlights the appeal of pastoral life. Arden symbolizes a haven of purity and spiritual order, providing characters with an opportunity for self-discovery and renewal.
Fortune vs. Nature:
The dichotomy between fortune and nature is emphasized, with fortune representing material gain and unpredictable events, while nature is portrayed as a purifying force. Characters in Arden overcome the uncertainties of fortune by drawing on the virtues of nature.
Time:
Time is depicted differently in court scenes and Arden. In the court, time is marked by specific intervals and threats, while in Arden, it becomes subjective and whimsical. The forest’s mythical and romantic aspects are enhanced by this fluid interpretation of time.
Sexual Identity:
Rosalind’s cross-dressing as Ganymede explores themes of sexual identity. The disguise liberates her from traditional gender roles, allowing her to take control of her life and challenge societal norms. The play’s presentation of gender is further emphasized by the use of boys playing female roles on the Elizabethan stage.
Acting and the Stage:
References to acting, role-playing, and the stage are scattered throughout the play, particularly in relation to Rosalind’s posing as Ganymede. The theatrical aspect is accentuated in Jaques’s “Seven Ages of Man” speech, highlighting the performative nature of life and the different stages individuals go through.
Family and Sibling Relationships:
The play explores relationships between siblings, particularly the contrasting dynamics between Orlando and Oliver. Themes of rivalry, betrayal, and reconciliation within families contribute to the overall narrative.
Love and Romance:
Various forms of love are depicted, from romantic relationships like Rosalind and Orlando’s to unconventional courtships like Touchstone and Audrey’s. Love is explored in its different manifestations, adding depth and complexity to the characters and their interactions.
Freedom and Independence:
Characters in the Forest of Arden experience a sense of freedom and independence away from the constraints of the court. The pastoral setting allows for self-discovery and the pursuit of personal desires and aspirations.
Courtly vs. Country Life:
The play contrasts the courtly life with the pastoral life in the countryside. The court is portrayed as a place of disorder, deceit, and envy, while Arden represents a space of simplicity, authenticity, and genuine relationships.
STYLE
The Pastoral:
The play incorporates elements of the pastoral tradition, which traditionally focuses on shepherds and rustic life. Shakespeare’s treatment of pastoralism in “As You Like It” is ambiguous, oscillating between endorsing and satirizing the literary form. The forest setting, characterized by Duke Senior’s praise for nature, presents an idealized and carefree atmosphere.
Lyrical Interludes:
The play is enriched by songs, poems, and verses, emphasizing its romantic and pastoral aspects. Five different songs and three poems are performed, contributing to the overall atmosphere and thematic development. The use of different forms of verse, including rhyming trimeter, enhances the poetic quality of the Forest of Arden scenes.
Marginalization of Plot:
The plot of “As You Like It” is considered less consequential compared to the character interactions and dialogue. Shakespeare swiftly unfolds the plot in the first act, and the focus shifts to the characters’ experiences in the Forest of Arden. The resolution, involving the conversion of villains and quick marriages, reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize character development over intricate plot details.
Similes:
The play relies heavily on imagery, particularly similes, to convey its themes and evoke vivid mental pictures. Topical similes reference familiar scenes or objects in Elizabethan London, catering to the sophisticated urban audience. Similes involving animals, natural objects, and weather contribute to the play’s emphasis on the natural world and outdoor setting.
Natural Imagery:
The extensive use of animal similes, comparisons to the natural world, and references to weather enhance the play’s connection to nature. Characters frequently employ these images, emphasizing their animal instincts, the changing seasons, and the organic elements of life.
Historical Context
Gender Roles:
Shakespeare’s portrayal of gender roles in “As You Like It” reflects the prevailing sexism of the Elizabethan era. During this time, it was widely accepted that men were considered superior to women. The play highlights these beliefs through characters like Rosalind and Celia, who discuss qualities such as beauty and chastity as the main attributes of women. The dialogue also suggests that women were seen as emotional and that certain behaviors, like crying, were considered inappropriate for men.
Moreover, the play touches on the marketability of women, indicating that they were sometimes viewed as having quantifiable value. This likely relates to the practice of potential brides offering dowries to their suitors, which was a common custom. Marriage in this era was deeply rooted in inheritance and economics, especially among the upper classes, where it served as a means of joining powerful families, consolidating land, and achieving various familial, financial, or political goals.
While women faced constraints based on societal expectations, men also grappled with perceptions of masculinity. The character Phebe in the play expresses attraction to the more assertive and prouder Ganymede rather than the pitiable Silvius. Interestingly, Shakespeare’s use of male actors playing female roles in the theater allowed for a certain fluidity in imagining gender roles, providing an opportunity for men to transcend narrow ideas of masculinity.
Rural Life:
In the early 17th century, London was a bustling urban center, significantly different from rural life. “As You Like It” explores these differences by contrasting characters from the aristocratic court with simpler woodland folk. The humorous conversations between educated and uneducated characters highlight the distinctions between urban and rural lifestyles. Despite the importance of the setting in the Forest of Arden, the play primarily focuses on love stories rather than the practical aspects of forest life.
English Satirists:
The character Jaques is not only a typical Elizabethan literary figure—a discontented traveler returning home—but also represents a group of satirists of Shakespeare’s time. These satirists, including John Davies, John Harington, Ben Jonson, Thomas Bastard, and John Weaver, used satire to comment on social conditions. An order in 1599 called for the burning of satirical works, and Celia’s line about the silence of wit and foolery is believed to refer to this order.
The English satirists were known for making impersonal and generic claims, avoiding accusations of targeting specific individuals. Jaques in the play expresses a desire to become a fool to comment on society’s ills safely. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Jaques ridicules the moral fervor of these satirists, suggesting that such a temperament is ridiculous and destructive to the comic spirit.
Compare and Contrast
Marriage:
Elizabethan era: Marriages were often arranged for financial, property, or reputation reasons. Brides brought substantial dowries to their husbands, and the consolidation of wealth between two families could shape political alliances. By law, firstborn sons always inherited the estate of the father.
Modern era: Most marriages in Western countries are conducted for the sake of romantic interests. Personal wills, rather than estate laws, govern the passing of property and capital from the deceased to their descendants. However, some people still marry more for the sake of money than for love.
Timekeeping:
Elizabethan era: Portable clocks were large and only accurate to the nearest fifteen minutes. People would not carry timepieces on their person, except sundials. A forested area would truly have no clocks about.
Modern era: Clocks are everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes, both analog and digital. Many people carry watches or use their cell phones to keep track of time, especially in the wilderness to know the nearness of sunset.
Satire and Media:
Elizabethan era: In 1599, by royal order, some satires were removed from circulation and the future publication of satires was banned outright. Consequently, the demolition of London playhouses was ordered.
Modern era: While laws against libel and slander prevent fabricated and hurtful accusations against individuals, honest and biting commentaries are allowed in almost all forms of media. However, the content conveyed to audiences is often regulated by entities other than governmental ones. For example, television programs are largely sponsored by advertisers. The advent of the Internet has both increased and distilled the dissemination of ideas and information.
