Love In William Shakespeares As You Like It

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Didactics for the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 1,7, University of Heidelberg (Anglistisches Seminar), course: Literature & Film – Adapting Shakespeare for the Screen, language: English, abstract: William Shakespeare’s "As You Like It" portrays love and marriage in a comical, amusing manner. The play represents passionate love on the one hand, as well as disguised, blind and even manipulated love on the other hand. Love as a state of being is omnipresent throughout As You Like It. As the play’s major theme, love is illustrated essentially by eight characters who all marry at the end of the play. However, As You Like It cannot be interpreted as a typical love story. In fact, only one twosome, namely Rosalind and Orlando, illustrates a relationship of true love which ends in a happy, mutually agreeable marriage. By falling in love at first sight, they symbolize the typical Shakespearean romantic lovers whose love overcomes any obstacles. The other couples in the play, however, seem to pursue rather different goals. Audrey and Touchstone simply wish to act on their sexual desire, which they cleverly hide behind marriage in order to prevent any “Vorwurf der Unzucht” – a serious matter in Elizabethan times. Phoebe and Silvius are both in love, though not reciprocally. Silvius does love Phoebe; she, however, falls in love with Ganymede and is merely tricked into committing herself to Silvius. Celia and Oliver are simply following the lead of Rosalind and Orlando, but seem to strive for companionship rather than passion or true love. Shakespeare illustrates four different kinds of love in As You Like It in a humorous way. He demonstrates that love and marriage do not necessarily have to go hand in hand and adds comical aspects of love by turning some characters into fools. In this way, Shakespeare builds on the Elizabethan assumptions about love as a sickness, but still validates it as a valuable aspect of a happy marriage.

Welcome to the enchanting world of "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare, a timeless comedy that celebrates the complexities of love, identity, and the human spirit. Follow the captivating adventures of Rosalind, Orlando, and a colorful cast of characters as they journey through the Forest of Arden in search of love and self-discovery. With its delightful blend of wit, romance, and mistaken identity, "As You Like It" invites readers to revel in the joyous chaos of Shakespearean comedy. Explore themes of love, friendship, and the transformative power of nature as Shakespeare weaves together a tapestry of laughter and longing. From the banter of the lovelorn courtiers to the wisdom of the exiled Duke, each character adds depth and nuance to the vibrant tapestry of the play. Through sparkling dialogue and memorable soliloquies, Shakespeare offers profound insights into the human condition, inviting readers to ponder the nature of love and the pursuit of happiness. With its timeless appeal and universal themes, "As You Like It" continues to captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The overall tone of the play is one of mirth and celebration, as Shakespeare celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love. His lyrical language and vivid imagery transport readers to a world of whimsy and wonder, where anything is possible. Critically acclaimed for its wit, charm, and memorable characters, "As You Like It" has earned its place as one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Its enduring popularity speaks to its universal appeal and timeless relevance. Whether you're a lifelong fan of Shakespeare or discovering his work for the first time, "As You Like It" promises to delight and entertain. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Shakespearean comedy. Grab your copy now and immerse yourself in the laughter and romance of "As You Like It."

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,0, University of Paderborn, language: English, abstract: As typical for romantic comedy, the central theme in William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" is love in its various forms. In total, there are four conventional couples (Rosalind & Or-lando, Celia & Oliver, Phebe & Silvius, Audrey & Touchstone) and one rejected country fellow (William). Nevertheless, the forms of love differ between those couples. Most of the relationships in "As You Like It" are based on the principle of love at first sight, implying an abrupt and overwhelming falling in love; this can be seen with Rosalind and Orlando right at the beginning of the comedy as well as with Celia and Oliver later in the play, although in the case of the latter the audience does not know at what point of the plot they actually fell in love with each other. An overwhelming romantic, however, is also experienced by Silvius, but his beloved Phebe dismisses him because she believes his love to be a fantasy, mocking thus the principle of love at first sight as well as the impulsive love expressions.

As You Like It is a romantic comedy composed in the style of a Christian comedy, highlighting themes such as brotherly love, marital unity, and the restoration of religion in general. The play's narrative, which is mostly set in the Forest of Arden, focuses on pastiche as a space for meditation and introspection, allowing the protagonists to alter their ways. Rosalind, one of Shakespeare's best female characters, is portrayed in this play, which centres around the love and play of four lovers, Orlando-Rosalind, Oliver-Celia. When Duke Ferdinand exiles Rosalind to the Forest of Arden, his daughter Celia joins her. They meet several noteworthy personalities in the wilderness while disguised as Ganymede and Aliena. This drama of fabrication, gender reversals, exile, and homoeroticism is a complete delight, full of enchantment, liveliness, peace, joy, and hilarity. It continues to be a popular among readers all across the world.

Having given the evidence for William Shakespeare's Catholicism in two previous books, literary biographer Joseph Pearce turns his attention in this work to the Bard's most famous play, Romeo and Juliet. "Star-crossed" Romeo and Juliet are Shakespeare's most famous lovers and perhaps the most well-known lovers in literary history. Though the young pair has been held up as a romantic ideal, the play is a tragedy, ending in death. What then, asks Pearce, is Shakespeare saying about his protagonists? Are they the hapless victims of fate, or are they partly to blame for their deaths? Is their love the "real thing", or is it self-indulgent passion? And what about the adults in their lives? Did they give the young people the example and guidance that they needed? The Catholic understanding of sexual desire, and its need to be ruled by reason, is on display in Romeo and Juliet, argues Pearce. The play is not a paean to romance but a cautionary tale about the naïveté and folly of youthful infatuation and the disastrous consequences of poor parenting. The well-known characters and their oft-quoted lines are rich in symbolic meaning that points us in the direction of the age-old wisdom of the Church. Although such a reading of Romeo and Juliet is countercultural in an age that glorifies the heedless and headless heart of young love, Pearce makes his case through a meticulous engagement with Shakespeare and his age and with the text of the play itself.

Readers and audiences have long greeted As You Like It with delight. Its characters are brilliant conversationalists, including the princesses Rosalind and Celia and their Fool, Touchstone. Soon after Rosalind and Orlando meet and fall in love, the princesses and Touchstone go into exile in the Forest of Arden, where they find new conversational partners. Duke Frederick, younger brother to Duke Senior, has overthrown his brother and forced him to live homeless in the forest with his courtiers, including the cynical Jaques. Orlando, whose older brother Oliver plotted his death, has fled there, too.