Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB Hour 5
April 6, 2011
Image Pattern: Court vs. Country, Act 1
Perhaps one of the constant patterns of imagery seen through As You Like It is that which compares the Court life, and the Country life. Act one contains only small references to the country, as most of it takes place in a Court setting. The references to the Country provide vague descriptions of it, which in contrast with the descriptions of Court life, provide the readers with an implied sense of how the characters in the play see the two lifestyles differently. “They say he is already in the Forest of Arden...they say many young gentlemen flock to him everyday and fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world” (Shakespeare 1.1, 113, 115-118). Here portrayed as a place where time is meaningless as in the 'golden world', the Country is shown initially as a relaxed and freeing environment. Despite how lush and pleasurable the forest is described, it is implied that Duke Frederick does not share the appeal for the Country life, as he selfishly desires the Court, “...three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him, whose lands and revenues enrich the new duke. Therefore he gives them good leave to wonder” (Shakespeare 1.1, 99-103). Duke Fredrick’s influence on the old lords leaving in wake of Duke Senior shows the other view on Court vs. Country, in the side of those, like Duke Fredrick, who clearly favor the Court life; going through such lengths to achieve it.
Dear Diary:
Dreadful be the day that any gentleman finds himself short enough on words that he must do as I am doing right now. I say to you, this woman was lovely, and sacred became the ground on which she stepped. Yet wretched Cupid held my tongue in her sight, perhaps, I fear, even to the point of my dear lady's annoyance. Alas, desperately I prithee not to see me has a fool, nay a coward, for I am not the man to blame. Tis indeed the fault of my fiendish brother Oliver; in his acts of denying mine education he hath indeed ruined my life thus far. Ah! And to listen to mine bantering and getting ahead of myself when it was mine intention to indeed share who I am with my soon to be devout readers. My name is Orlando, the son of ever noble Sir Rowland deBois, may he rest in peace. Throughout my father's great life he built up a great deal of wealth and land, a share of which should have been mine at his death. Now, as a result of Oliver's jealousy, I have been left with nothing. I have now independently departed from mine brother's estate, in order to get what I have desired, the education true to that which is deserved by a gentleman. Thus far, I am by myself, with only my strength as the wrestling champion to go on. I am growing in strength and independence through this journey, as I go out to seek my gentleman's education.
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