As You Like It Critical Overview
Pastoralism:
The play is often described as a satire on the pastoral ideal and a celebration of the pastoral spirit that cannot be bound. It presents an escape from the world of troubles, worries, and corruption to a world of enchantments and mythology. The Forest of Arden serves as a setting that contrasts with the courtly life, highlighting the romanticized idea of pastoral life.
Romantic Comedy:
“As You Like It” is a romantic comedy that encapsulates world affairs ranging from grave to amorous ones. It contains elements of a fairytale as well as rudiments of Italian romances. It shows an oscillation from prose to verse, giving some of the most profound human feelings in their most original form, which touches the hearts of the audience.
Lyrical Interludes:
The play includes a significant number of songs and poems, emphasizing the romantic, pastoral aspect of the play. These forms of verse are presented in the Forest of Arden, rather than in the court, contrasting the characters’ everyday discourse with their romantic poetic bursts.
Themes:
The play explores themes such as the delights of love, the malleability of the human experience, the performance of gender, and the performance of love3. It breaks with the courtly love tradition by portraying love as a force for happiness and fulfillment and ridicules those who revel in their own suffering.
Characters:
The characters in the play are well-developed, with each having their unique traits and roles. For instance, Rosalind, the play’s central character, brings about much of the play’s resolution. Touchstone, the fool, acts as a touchstone, testing the qualities of the other characters.
Historical Context:
The play reflects the social and political context of the Elizabethan era, including the exploration of gender roles and identities. It also reflects the literary and theatrical conventions of the time, such as the use of disguise and mistaken identity, and the interplay of prose and verse.
Overall, “As You Like It” is a play that beautifully blends romance, comedy, and critical commentary on societal norms and expectations, making it a timeless piece of literature.
