What a wonderful play is ’As You Like It’. It is a simple story made somewhat complex by disguises.Yet it is full of earthy humour and punctuated with wonderful philosophical insights.There is a lengthy speech commencing with ’All the worlds a stage’ and going on to describe life accurately.Then there is the description of many kinds of lies.There are thoughts about the fragility of life.What is great is that the light, joyous flow of the play is never disturbed.It always remains the story of lovers destined to meet in the end.
There are obstacles but they are never too great or insurmountable.I must say though the basic story may be found in other plays written by Shakespeare. The story is so.Frederick is a duke in France.He has come to the throne by sending his elder brother in exile.Life in exile is tough.The former duke who lives in Arden forest has a daughter Rosalind while Frederick’s daughter is Celia.When Frederick drives Rosalind out Celia accompanies her.Rosalind is impressed by Orlando de Boys who won a wrestling match in her presence.Orlando repairs to Arden forest where he writes odes to Rosalind on tree trunks.
When Rosalind goes on exile to Arden she is dressed as a man.Celia parades herself as her sister.Orlando’s estranged brother Oliver falls for Celia.After many engaging encounters Rosalind marries Orlando.Other lovers are united and the deposed duke is restored.
