Guide Note

As You Like It is a classic comedy by William Shakespeare.

Fast Facts

1. Writer: William Shakespeare
2. Setting: a ducy in France, Forest of Arden
3. Premiere Date: Possibly December 2, 1603 at Wilton House in Wiltshire, England
4. Written in 1599
5. ISBN 1904271227
6. Adapations: 2006 film by Kenneth Branagh, 1936 film starring Laurence Olivier

Duke Fredrick usurps his older brother Duke Senior and banishes him to the Forest of Arden. There he leads a Robin Hood-like existence with a band of loyal followers. Rosalind, Senior's daughter, is allowed to remain in the kingdom on account of her friendship with Fredrick's daughter Celia. However, after Rosalind and Orlando, the youngest son of the nobleman Sir Roland, fall in love with each other, She is banished by Fredrick. Rosalind and Celia flee with the court jester Touchstone into the forest. When Orlando finds out that his life is in danger he also flees in Arden. When Duke Fredrick learns of his daughters disappearance he sends Orlando's wicked older-brother Oliver after all three. While in the forest Rosalind and Orlando reunite, Oliver meets and falls in love with a disguised Celia, and Duke Fredrick meets a religious man and repents, restoring his legitimate brother to the dukedom.

• Rosalind: daughter of Duke Senior, her disguise is the boy "Ganymede"
• Orlando: youngest son of Sir Roland de Boys, he falls in love with Rosalind at first sight.
• Jaques: a melancholy lord who is very melodramatic.
• Duke Senior: the older brother of Duke Frederick and is in exile in the Forest of Arden
• Celia: daughter of Duke Frederick, her disguise is the stranger girl "Aliena"
• Duke Frederick: Duke Senior's younger brother and usurper.

1. Oliver: The eldest son of Sir Roland de Boys and heir to the inheritance.