LRJ & Character Journal 4: As You Like It

Charles Spencer
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
April 7, 2011
 

Image Pattern: Court vs. Country, Act 5

Act five of As You Like It continues the image pattern of Court vs. Country just as all of the previous acts in the play; however it is much more similar to the subtle style of act four, while still focusing on new attributes of the Forest of Arden

“...there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you” Here, whilst Touchstone explains to his love, Audrey, that there is no need to hurry in getting married, he shows the magic of the Country as apposed to the Court as the Forest of Arden is magical, and youth perpetuates inside it.

“This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have so often met in the forest. He hath be a courtier he claims...If any man doubt that, let him put me to my purgation” (Shakespeare 5.4, 42-45) The Final outstanding show of Court vs. Country is shown in the display of exclusivity in the court life. Here, Touchstone shows his intelligence and cunning to prove his status as a true Courtier to the others. This shows how courtiers are portrayed as more proper and intelligent than Country dwellers, whether or not it is disproved by the other characters.

Dear Diary:
                  Come to an end mine strife in love has. I am now the lover of Rosalind, and although I am one of many in a new marriage of happiness, I feel this to be the most special of all. I, Orlando, have married Rosalind, who was indeed disguising as Ganymede; a fact which I feel I have always known on some level. Soon returning to the Dukedom will we be, as land we have been granted. Sir Fredrick has recognized the error in his ways and now that Oliver has no ill will towards me I shall live in no strife in the future. This may indeed be the last entry into your delicate pages anon, however I prithee to be here whilst I may need you. This has been a most interesting journey, and as I may say, it was the damn strangest thing a man can ever go through. However, we all must remember that all the world is a stage and we are all but merely players in this theatrical production. I must say, my flight to find Rosalind was most surely full of theatrics.