As You Like It

Definition

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare that explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships in both natural and courtly settings. The play is known for its celebration of homoerotic desire, particularly through the relationships between characters such as Rosalind and Celia, and Orlando and Oliver, offering a nuanced perspective on love that transcends traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The character Rosalind disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede, allowing her to navigate the complexities of love and attraction with greater freedom.
2. The setting of the Forest of Arden serves as a backdrop for characters to explore their identities and relationships away from societal constraints.
3. Homoerotic desire is evident in the strong emotional bonds between characters like Rosalind and Celia, which challenge traditional heterosexual norms.
4. Shakespeare employs witty banter and wordplay to highlight the fluidity of desire and affection among both men and women.
5. The resolution of the play includes multiple marriages, showcasing a celebration of love in various forms while also reinforcing traditional relationships.

Review Questions

• How does Rosalind's disguise as Ganymede influence her interactions with other characters in 'As You Like It'?
  • Rosalind's disguise as Ganymede allows her to interact freely with other characters, especially Orlando, without the constraints placed on women in her society. By adopting a male persona, she gains agency to express her desires and challenge traditional gender roles. This disguise also creates humorous situations where characters are unaware of her true identity, highlighting themes of love and attraction while allowing Rosalind to manipulate circumstances to her advantage.
• Analyze the representation of homoerotic desire in 'As You Like It' and its impact on character relationships.
  • Homoerotic desire in 'As You Like It' is primarily expressed through the close bond between Rosalind and Celia, as well as the affectionate camaraderie among male characters. Their interactions challenge conventional notions of love by presenting deep emotional connections that blur the lines between friendship and romantic interest. This fluidity allows Shakespeare to explore a range of relationships that question societal norms surrounding love and desire, ultimately enriching the narrative.
• Evaluate how 'As You Like It' uses the contrast between courtly life and pastoral settings to comment on the nature of love and identity.
  • In 'As You Like It', the contrast between the rigid conventions of courtly life and the liberating environment of the Forest of Arden serves as a critique of societal norms governing love and identity. The pastoral setting allows characters to shed their social roles, encouraging authentic expressions of affection and self-discovery. This juxtaposition highlights how societal expectations can stifle true connection, suggesting that love flourishes when individuals can escape those confines and embrace their desires more freely.

Related terms

Pastoral Literature: A genre of literature that idealizes rural life and nature, often contrasting the simplicity of the countryside with the corruption of city life.

Gender Fluidity: The concept that gender exists along a spectrum and can be expressed in diverse ways, challenging traditional binary notions of male and female roles.

Courtly Love: A medieval European literary conception of love emphasizing nobility and chivalry, often involving unattainable or forbidden love.