As You Like It by William Shakespeare Summary Act by Act
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Notes & Analysis
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William Shakespeare
As You Like It Summary
Rosalind and her cousin
escape into the forest and find Orlando, Rosalind's love. Disguised as a boy
shepherd, Rosalind has Orlando woo her under the guise of "curing"
him of his love for Rosalind. Rosalind reveals she is a girl and marries
Orlando during a group wedding at the end of the play.
Act I
Orlando, the youngest son of the recently-deceased Sir Roland de
Boys, is treated harshly by his eldest brother, Oliver. Bitter and angry,
Orlando challenges the court wrestler, Charles, to a fight. When Oliver learns
of the fight, Oliver tells Charles to injure Orlando if possible.
Duke Frederick has recently deposed his brother, Duke Senior, as
head of the court. But he allowed Senior's daughter, Rosalind, to remain, and
she and Celia, the new Duke's daughter, watch the wrestling competition. During
the match, Rosalind falls in love with Orlando, who beats Charles. Rosalind
gives Orlando a chain to wear; in turn, he is overcome with love.
Act II
Shortly after, Orlando is warned of his brother's plot against
him and seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden. At the same time, and seemingly
without cause, Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind. She decides to seek shelter in
the Forest of Arden with Celia. They both disguise themselves: Rosalind as the
young man Ganymede and Celia as his shepherdess sister Aliena. Touchstone, the
court fool, also goes with them.
Act III
In the Forest of Arden, the weary cousins happen upon Silvius, a
lovesick shepherd. Silvius was in the act of declaring his feelings for Phoebe,
a scornful shepherdess. Ganymede buys the lease to the property of an old
shepherd who needs someone to manage his estate. Ganymede and Aliena set up
home in the forest. Not far away, and unaware of the newcomers, Duke Senior is
living a simple outdoor life with his fellow exiled courtiers and huntsmen.
Their merriment is interrupted by the arrival of Orlando, who seeks nourishment
for himself and his servant. The two men are welcomed by the outlaw courtiers.
Ganymede and Aliena find verses addressed to Rosalind hung on
the forest branches by Orlando. Ganymede finds Orlando and proposes to cure
Orlando of his love. To do this, Orlando will woo Ganymede as if he were
Rosalind (even though "he" really is . . . Rosalind). Orlando
consents and visits Ganymede/Rosalind every day for his lessons. In the
meantime, the shepherdess Phoebe has fallen for Ganymede while the shepherd
Silvius still pursues her. Furthermore, Touchstone, the court fool, has
dazzled a country girl, Audrey, with his courtly manners. Audrey deserts her
young suitor, William, for him.
Act IV
When Duke Frederick hears
Orlando disappeared at the same time as Rosalind and Celia, he orders Oliver to
the forest to seek his brother. In the forest, Orlando saves Oliver's life,
injuring his arm in the process. Oliver runs into Ganymede and Aliena in the
forest and relates this news. Rosalind (disguised as Ganymede) is overcome with
her feelings for Orlando. Celia (disguised as Aliena) and Oliver quickly fall
in love with one another. Rosalind decides that it is time to end her game with
Orlando and devises a plan in which everyone will get married.
Act V
As Ganymede, Rosalind
promises Phoebe that they will marry, Celia will marry Oliver, Touchstone will
marry Audrey, and Orlando will marry Rosalind. She makes Phoebe promise that if
they, for some reason, don't get married, Phoebe will marry Silvius
instead.
On the day of the wedding,
and with the help of the god Hymen, Rosalind reappears in her female clothes.
Duke Senior gives her away to Orlando, while Phoebe accepts Silvius. Orlando's
other older brother returns from college with the news that Celia's father,
Duke Ferdinand, has left court to become a hermit. Thus, everyone is happy
(except maybe Phoebe, who marries someone she doesn't love and Silvius, who
marries someone who doesn't love him). The play ends with a joyful dance to
celebrate the four marriages.
