What was as you like it by shakespeare about

In the Forest of Arden, the weary cousins happen upon Silvius, a lovesick shepherd. Silvius was in the act of declaring his feelings for Phoebe, a scornful shepherdess. Ganymede buys the lease to the property of an old shepherd who needs someone to manage his estate. Ganymede and Aliena set up home in the forest.

Not far away, and unaware of the newcomers, Duke Senior is living a simple outdoor life with his fellow exiled courtiers and huntsmen. Their merriment is interrupted by the arrival of Orlando, who seeks nourishment for himself and his servant. The two men are welcomed by the outlaw courtiers. Ganymede and Aliena find verses addressed to Rosalind hung on the forest branches by Orlando.

Ganymede finds Orlando and proposes to cure Orlando of his love. To do this, Orlando will woo Ganymede as if he were Rosalind even though "he" really is. In the meantime, the shepherdess Phoebe has fallen for Ganymede while the shepherd Silvius still pursues her. Furthermore, Touchstone, the court fool, has dazzled a country girl, Audrey, with his courtly manners.

Come into the forest There's a rich history of performing this comedy by Shakespeare at the RSC - from the early 20th century to the present day. Synopsis As You Like It subverts the traditional rules of romance. A wrestling match Orlando de Boys, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver since his father's death. Banishment The Duke banishes Rosalind, fearing that she is a threat to his rule. Love blossoms in the forest Elsewhere in the Forest love also blossoms: the shepherd Silvius suffers unrequited love for Phoebe, who has fallen for Ganymede, while Touchstone is pursuing the goat-herd Audrey.

In This Section. About the play Come into the forest His speech beginning "All the world's a stage," is arguably one of Shakespeare's most famous. As You Like It, however, has had to endure its due amount of criticism, with some historians finding it to be not up to Shakespeare's writing standards, while others believe it is one of his best works. The play begins in France but quickly shifts as the action moves to the Forest of Arden. The true location for this is believed to be based on the Ardennes, a heavily forested region that spans Belgium, Germany, and France.

Frederick has allowed Rosalind to remain at court only because of her friendship with his one daughter, Celia. Rosalind's admirer Orlando, has fallen in love with her at first sight. He too has been a victim of persecution, having been persecuted and driven out of his home by his older brother Oliver. Charles vows to pummel Orlando, which delights Oliver. Duke Senior has been usurped of his throne by his brother, Duke Frederick, and has fled to the Forest of Ardenne, where he lives like Robin Hood with a band of loyal followers.

Orlando and Rosalind instantly fall in love with one another, though Rosalind keeps this fact a secret from everyone but Celia.

Orlando decides to leave for the safety of Ardenne. Without warning, Duke Frederick has a change of heart regarding Rosalind and banishes her from court.

She, too, decides to flee to the Forest of Ardenne and leaves with Celia, who cannot bear to be without Rosalind, and Touchstone, the court jester. To ensure the safety of their journey, Rosalind assumes the dress of a young man and takes the name Ganymede, while Celia dresses as a common shepherdess and calls herself Aliena. Frederick also decides it is time to destroy his brother once and for all and begins to raise an army.

Duke Senior lives in the Forest of Ardenne with a band of lords who have gone into voluntary exile. He praises the simple life among the trees, happy to be absent from the machinations of court life.

Duke Senior calms Orlando and, when he learns that the young man is the son of his dear former friend, accepts him into his company.