As You Like It

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility. As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques, who speaks many of Shakespeare's most famous speeches (such as "All the world's a stage", "too much of a good thing" and "A fool! A fool! I met a fool in the forest"). Jaques provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country. Historically, critical response has varied, with some critics finding the play a work of great merit and some finding it to be of lesser quality than other Shakespearean works. The play has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre. Characters in As You Like It Main characters: Court of Duke Frederick: Duke Frederick, Duke Senior's younger brother and his usurper, also Celia's father Rosalind, Duke Senior's daughter Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter and Rosalind's cousin Touchstone, a court fool or jester Le Beau, a courtier Charles, a wrestler Lords and ladies in Duke Frederick's court Household of Sir Rowland de Boys: Sir Rowland de Boys (while recently deceased in the world of the play, this character is developed and frequently referred to; A possible 'real world' identity for this character, Sir Rowland Hill, has been conjectured) Oliver de Boys, the eldest son and heir Jacques de Boys, the second son, announces Frederick's change of heart Orlando de Boys, the youngest son Adam, a faithful old servant who follows Orlando into exile Dennis, the servant who announces Charles's arrival in Oliver's orchard Exiled court of Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden: Duke Senior, Duke Frederick's older brother and Rosalind's father Jaques, a discontented, melancholic lord Amiens, an attending lord and musician Lords in Duke Senior's forest court Country folk in the Forest of Arden: Phebe, a proud shepherdess Silvius, a shepherd Audrey, a country girl Corin, an elderly shepherd William, a country man Sir Oliver Martext, a curate Other characters: Hymen, officiates over the weddings in the end; god of marriage, as appearing in a masque Pages and musicians The play is set in a duchy in France, beginning in a courtly environment; but most of the action takes place in a location called the 'Forest of Arden'.