“ As You Like It” by Shakespeare

As You Like It was first printed in the collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, during 1623.

Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Roland de Boys, is ill treated by his brother Oliver. When he responds to the general challenge issued by the Duke’s wrestler, Charles, Oliver tells Charles to injure Orlando if he can manage it. The Duke’s daughter, Celia, and her cousin, Rosalind, watch the match and Rosalind falls in love with Orlando. Orlando wins but the Duke gets angry when he discovers that Orlando is the son of his old enemy, Sir Roland de Boys. Rosalind gives Orlando a chain to wear and he falls in love with her.
The Duke unexpectedly banishes Rosalind and she decides to find her father, the real Duke, who has been overthrown by his brother, Celia’s father, Frederick. Duke Senior lives in the forest of Arden. Together with the court jester, Touchstone, the girls set out, disguised as a country boy, Ganymede, and his sister, Aliena. Co-incidentally, Orlando, fearing for his life, has also left home, accompanied by his father’s servant, Adam.
In the forest, the group from the court encounter a young shepherd, Silvius, and watch him being rejected by a shepherdess, Phoebe, as he declares his love for her. They meet an old shepherd, Corin, who is looking for someone to take over the sheep farm. Ganymede, who wants to settle in the forest, buys the lease.
At Last This Couple Mearrige with Each other .

Rosalind leaves with the disguised Celia, and the two soon return as themselves, accompanied by Hymen, the god of marriage. Hymen officiates at the ceremony and marries

1- Rosalind and Orlando

2- Celia and Oliver

3- Phoebe and Silvius

4- Audrey and Touchstone.

Now we can discusses about the theme of the novel:-

- Love : Love is the central theme of As You Like It, like other romantic

comedies of Shakespeare

- Usurpation and Injustice :- This is a significant theme of this play.

- Forgiveness :- This is a significant theme of this play. However, it ends happily with reconciliation and forgiveness.

- Court life and country life

- Religious allegory

- Music and songs : As You Like It is known as a musical comedy because of the number of songs in the play.

- Pastoral comedy

-In this play As you like it Shakespeare use the language ' Prose '