Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
April 7, 2011
Image Pattern: Court vs. Country, Act 2
The image comparing the Court and the Country is perhaps the strongest and most frequent in act two. The Country lifestyle (that of the inhabitants of the Forest of Arden), when being compared to that of the Court of the dukedom, is shown with a positive response from the characters, also dismissing misconceptions about the Country. The strengthening of the positively portrayal of Country influences the reader to emotionally respond to the characters inside the Forest of Arden. The strong opening monologue of the act by Duke Senior, one to influence his followers to cope with the situation positively, openly compared the life in the forest to that of the dukedom in the Courts,
...Hath not old custom made this life more sweet than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods more free from peril than the envious court? Here feel we not the penalty of Adam, The seasons' difference, as the icy fang and churlish chiding of the winter's wind, which when it bites and blows upon my body even til I shrink with cold, I smile and say “This is no flattery. There are counselors that feelingly persuade me what I am.” Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head. And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in the trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything
(Shakespeare 2.1, 2-17)
This description of the Country as apposed to the Court is the most straightforward in the play, using direct comparisons to deliver the message to the reader that the Country life, like that in the Forest of Arden, are to be shown in a new supporting sense, reaching out to the audience of Shakespeare's time almost appealing for the country. The audience is further drawn into the re-imaging of the Country through the disproving of stereotyped behaviors in The Forest of Arden, “...Pardon me, I pray you. I though that all things had been savage here, and therefor put I on the countenance of stern commandment” (Shakespeare 2.7, 111-114) Duke Senior's words are also the first legitimate indicator to the reader that characters in the play have bias towards which setting they find better; Duke Senior is the first character to show in direct word which is preferred and why.
I, Orlando, son of the noble Sir Rowland Deboys, am tired. What mystical force be this! And yet again my avid diary, I have promised not to get ahead of myself, and as it is unbecoming of a gentleman to rant to a mere lifeless book, I shall keep these little palavers of ours rather short. Well, so here I go.
Ever since I heard of Oliver's foolish stratagem to be aimed at me, I have been far away from the Court. I am now in the Forest of Arden, after having departed. Oh such happenings I have been hit with! Adam took ill from starvation and as I fetched food for him, I resorted to violence to achieve my goal! Soon did I find out that my actions of violence were unnecessary in the forest, and now I shall know for the better. I encountered the exiled Duke, he indeed knew my father! I have made friends this day! Now, as all is said and done with the Duke, I must admit I have had her dear lady in the back of my head for much of the day, I fear I have seen the last of her. I prithee Lord, let me have her!
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