In William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, witty words and romance play out against the disputes of two divided pairs of siblings.
Orlando de Boys’ older brother, Oliver, treats him as an indentured servant performing tasks on the family orchard, and refuses him his small inheritance from their father’s estate; while he sends their youngest brother to school. Oliver comes up with various schemes to have Orlando die without being blamed—including a wrestling match against the Court wrestler, Charles.
Meanwhile, Duchess Fredericka has forced her older sister, Duchess Senior, into exile in the Forest of Arden, where she resides with a band of followers who make their home living simply and freely. Duchess Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, and Duchess Fredericka’s daughter, Celia—cousins and best friends—meet the victorious Orlando at the wrestling match where Orlando and Rosalind find themselves smitten with each other. But Rosalind’s charm and social success threaten her aunt’s plans for Celia’s and she is banished by her aunt, as her mother was, Rosalind assumes a male identity and flees the Court with Celia and the Court fool, Touchstone, heading to the Forest of Arden.
Orlando, learning of Oliver’s murderous plots from the Court gossip, LeBeau, also takes flight, accompanied by the faithful de Boys servant, Ada, and finds refuge in the same forest.
Once in the Forest of Arden, the paths of all the exiled begin to cross—not only with each other, but with the many memorable characters who call the country and forest their home. Can love, freedom, nature, and community redeem them all?
SCENE BREAKDOWN GUIDE
New to Shakespeare, or just like to come prepared? We've put together a detailed scene-by-scene breakdown of As You Like It. It also includes a short list of Shakespearean words and phrases that might be helpful to know. Here's the link!
