"As You Like It" by William Shakespeare develops in two
contrasting worlds: the formal court of Duke Frederick and the rustic Forest of
Arden, affording a temporary retreat from courtly woes.
The Forest of Arden serves as a lovely setting, showcasing the
sarcastic drama typical of pastoral literature. Shakespeare drew influence from
a popular pastoral novel of his time, Thomas Lodge's "Rosalynde," as
he contrasts the peaceful rural life with the corrupt city life represented in
the Duke's Court.
In this play, the Forest of Arden symbolizes purity and an escape
from corruption, while the Duke's Court embodies the vices of city life.
Shakespeare satirizes pastoral traditions, as underlined by literary critic
Kenneth Muir. One such trope is a sick shepherd being denied love, symbolized
in the play by Silvius and his unrequited love for Phebe.
Shakespeare goes above the standard by revealing Phebe's vanity
and conceit, ultimately deceiving her into marrying Silvius. This twist
satirizes the conventional pastoral image of unrequited love, criticizing the
illusions given in pastoral literature.
The characters Audrey and William exemplify another pastoral
convention, portraying unsophisticated country dwellers. Audrey's insistence on
a genuine marriage over a transient one with Touchstone shows moral
superiority, contradicting the habit of idealizing the simplicity of uneducated
country life.
A funny surprise in the play involves the swift a transformation of the villain, Oliver, from a murderer to a redeemed and acceptable husband to Celia. This quick change not only provides humorous elements but also acts as a satirical criticism on the expected transformations prevalent in pastoral literature.
In the end, Shakespeare, through "As You Like It,"
utilizes the Forest of Arden to parody and question pastoral norms,
highlighting the faults and fallacies inherent in romanticized representations
of rural life.
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