As You Like It Study Guide - William Shakespeare's Literary Devices Explored

Introduction

Welcome to the enchanting world of “As You Like It” 🌳✨, a pastoral comedy by the legendary playwright William Shakespeare! Written in the early 1600s, this play takes us on a journey through the realms of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. Shakespeare, known for his profound understanding of human nature, weaves a tale that transcends time, set against the backdrop of a society filled with intrigue, tyranny, and the quest for power. Dive into the genre of romantic comedy as we explore the forests of Arden, where characters discover themselves and what it truly means to live “as you like it.”

Contents

Plot Summary

Exposition — The play opens in the court of Duke Frederick, who has usurped the throne from his brother, Duke Senior. Meanwhile, Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior, and Celia, Duke Frederick’s daughter, are best friends. Orlando, mistreated by his brother Oliver, enters the story.
Rising Action — Orlando and Rosalind meet and fall in love, but Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind. She, along with Celia and the court jester, Touchstone, flees to the Forest of Arden, with Rosalind disguised as a boy named Ganymede.
Climax — In the forest, Rosalind, as Ganymede, encounters Orlando. She decides to “cure” his love-sickness by pretending to be his beloved Rosalind.
Falling Action — Various romantic entanglements unfold in the forest, including Touchstone’s courtship of Audrey, and the shepherd Silvius’s pursuit of Phebe, who falls for Ganymede.
Resolution — The true identities are revealed, and the play concludes with multiple marriages, including that of Orlando and Rosalind. Duke Frederick has a change of heart, and the rightful rulers are restored.

Character Analysis

Rosalind — Independent, witty, and resourceful, Rosalind is the play’s heroine. Her disguise as Ganymede allows her to explore her identity and control her romantic destiny, ultimately guiding the play towards its harmonious conclusion.
Orlando — The young, noble hero who wins Rosalind’s love through his bravery and pure heart. His character develops from a naive, love-struck youth to a more mature and understanding lover.
Celia — Loyal and supportive, Celia accompanies Rosalind into exile. Her friendship and sacrifices underscore themes of loyalty and love.
Duke Senior — Exiled but content, he represents the theme of pastoral life’s simplicity and goodness, contrasting with courtly corruption.
Touchstone — The clown, whose wit and observations provide humor and insight into the folly of those around him.

Character	Personality	Development
Rosalind	Witty, resourceful	From lovesick to orchestrator of the play’s resolution
Orlando	Brave, lovestruck	Matures through love’s trials
Celia	Loyal, supportive	Demonstrates the depth of friendship
Duke Senior	Content, philosophical	Embodies the pastoral ideal
Touchstone	Humorous, insightful	Highlights human folly

Themes and Symbols

Love — Explores various forms of love, from romantic to familial, highlighting its complexity and transformational power.
Identity and Disguise — Through disguises, characters explore personal identity, leading to self-discovery and understanding.
Nature vs. Court Life — Contrasts the corrupt, sophisticated court life with the natural, innocent life in the Forest of Arden.
The Role of Fortune — Characters often reflect on fortune’s role in their lives, emphasizing resilience and optimism.

Style and Tone

Writing Style — Shakespeare utilizes a blend of prose and verse, tailoring the language to fit characters’ social status and the play’s mood. The poetic verses, often in iambic pentameter, are reserved for noble characters and profound themes, while prose suits the play’s comedic aspects and lower-status characters.
Tone — The tone varies from romantic and whimsical to contemplative and satirical, reflecting the play’s exploration of love, society, and human nature.

Literary Devices used in As You Like It

Alliteration — Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, adding rhythm and emphasis.
Metaphor — Direct comparisons without using “like” or “as,” enriching the text with vivid imagery.
Simile — Comparisons using “like” or “as,” creating vivid descriptions.
Personification — Giving human qualities to non-human entities, enhancing the emotional effect and imagery.
Irony — The difference between appearance and reality, often used for humorous or dramatic effect.
Foreshadowing — Hints or clues about what will happen later, creating suspense.
Hyperbole — Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally, emphasizing a point.
Allusion — References to well-known stories, figures, or events, adding depth and context.
Pun — A play on words with humorous effects, showcasing Shakespeare’s wit.
Soliloquy — A character speaks their thoughts aloud when alone, providing insight into their feelings and decisions.

Literary Devices Examples

Alliteration

Example: “With weary steps I wander where wild waters meet.”
Explanation: This example highlights the repetition of the ‘w’ sound, creating a melodious effect and emphasizing the character’s aimless journey and the vast, untamed nature of their surroundings.

Metaphor

Example: “Life is but a walking shadow.”
Explanation: Here, life is compared directly to a shadow, suggesting its fleeting, insubstantial nature without using “like” or “as,” which deepens the play’s contemplation of existence and the ephemeral nature of human life.

Simile

Example: “He sighs like a furnace.”
Explanation: This simile compares the intensity of the character’s sighs to the hot, forceful air of a furnace, vividly depicting the depth of his emotional turmoil or passionate feelings.

Personification

Example: “The greedy ground opens wide to thirst for rain.”
Explanation: The ground is given human-like qualities, described as greedy and capable of thirst, which vividly illustrates the earth’s dry condition and desperate need for water.

Irony

Example: “The soldier’s brave declaration of fearlessness is met with his trembling at the first sign of danger.”
Explanation: This situation is ironic because the soldier’s actions contradict his words, highlighting the difference between what is said and what is true or expected, often with humorous or critical effect.

Foreshadowing

Example: “Dark clouds gather even as the hero vows never to return.”
Explanation: The gathering of dark clouds as the hero makes a significant vow hints at future difficulties or turmoil, creating suspense about the challenges ahead.

Hyperbole

Example: “I could sleep for a thousand years.”
Explanation: This exaggerated statement emphasizes the speaker’s extreme fatigue without intending to be taken literally, enhancing the expression of tiredness.

Allusion

Example: “He speaks of Hercules as if he expects the hero to appear at his call.”
Explanation: This reference to Hercules, known for his strength and heroic feats, adds depth to the character’s expectations or delusions of grandeur, enriching the text with cultural or historical significance.

Pun

Example: “The baker’s bread is as dead as a doornail; it’s dough-knead to rise again.”
Explanation: This play on words with “dough-knead” sounding like “do need” adds humor while commenting on the quality of the bread, showcasing Shakespeare’s love for wordplay.

Soliloquy

Example: “Alone on stage, he reveals his deepest fears and hopes, speaking directly to the audience.”
Explanation: This device allows characters to express their inner thoughts and feelings directly to the audience, providing insight into their motivations and internal conflicts.

As You Like It – FAQs

Q: What is the significance of the Forest of Arden in “As You Like It”? A: The Forest of Arden represents a place of freedom and transformation where characters can explore their identities away from societal constraints.

Q: How does Rosalind’s disguise contribute to the plot? A: Rosalind’s disguise as Ganymede allows her to navigate the forest safely, manipulate the romantic outcomes of several characters, and explore themes of gender and identity.

Q: What themes are explored in “As You Like It”? A: Major themes include the nature of love, the contrast between city life and pastoral life, the importance of forgiveness, and the exploration of gender roles and identity.

Q: Who ends up marrying whom by the end of the play? A: By the play’s end, Rosalind marries Orlando, Celia marries Oliver (Orlando’s brother), Touchstone marries Audrey, and Silvius marries Phebe.

Quiz

Question	A	B	C	D
What forest do the characters flee to?	Sherwood Forest	The Forest of Arden	Fangorn Forest	The Forbidden Forest
Who is disguised as Ganymede?	Celia	Touchstone	Rosalind	Audrey
Which character is known for their witty sayings and philosophical musings?	Oliver	Touchstone	Duke Senior	Silvius
What does Orlando do to express his love for Rosalind?	Writes poems about her	Challenges Duke Frederick	Leaves the forest	Writes poems and hangs them on trees
Who changes their ways and decides to restore the dukedom to its rightful owner?	Duke Frederick	Duke Senior	Oliver	Touchstone

This quiz covers key points and characters from “As You Like It,” testing comprehension of the plot, characters, and significant events within the play.

Exercise

Identify the literary devices used in the following paragraph from “As You Like It”.

“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The moon doth shine as bright as day. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.”

Answers:

Alliteration – “quick brown fox”
Simile – “shine as bright as day”
Metaphor – “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds”