The Shakespeare Book

180

S

ince their father’s death,

Orlando has been kept at

home and denied education

by his older brother Oliver. When

Oliver hears that Orlando plans to

fight Charles the wrestler, Oliver

tells Charles to kill him. At court,

Rosalind laments her father, Duke

Senior’s, banishment. With her

cousin Celia, she watches the

wrestling match and both are taken

with Orlando, who surprisingly

beats Charles. Orlando falls in love

with Rosalind, but has to escape to

the forest with old Adam, pursued

by Oliver. Celia’s father, Duke

AS YOU LIKE IT

Frederick, feels threatened by

Rosalind’s popularity and exiles

her. Rosalind dresses as the boy

Ganymede and flees to the forest

with Celia and Touchstone, the fool.

In the forest, Duke Senior and his

lords, including the gloomy Jaques,

enjoy the simple life.

Duke Frederick organizes a

pursuit of Rosalind and Celia. In the

forest, Rosalind and Celia witness

Silvius telling the old shepherd

Corin of his unrequited love for

Phoebe. Faint with hunger, Orlando

meets Duke Senior’s men and draws

his sword. They offer him supper

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

Duke Senior Older brother

of Duke Frederick, living in

exile in the Forest of Arden.

Rosalind Duke Senior’s

daughter. Later disguised

as Ganymede.

Amiens One of Duke Senior’s

lords, a talented singer.

Jaques One of Duke Senior’s

lords, a melancholy philosopher.

Duke Frederick Father to

Celia, he usurps his brother.

Celia Daughter of Duke

Frederick and Rosalind’s

cousin. Later, she disguises

herself as Aliena.

Touchstone A court fool.

Le Beau A courtier.

Charles A wrestler.

Oliver Oldest son of Sir

Rowland de Bois.

Orlando Younger brother

of Oliver, kept uneducated.

Jaques de Boys You nger

brother of Oliver.

Adam Former servant of

Sir Rowland de Bois.

Corin An old shepherd.

Silvius A young shepherd

in love with Phoebe.

Phoebe A young shepherdess,

disdainful of Silvius.

William A countryman and

rival in love for Audrey with

Touchstone.

Audrey A goatherd, she is

betrothed to Touchstone.

Act 1 Act 2

1.5

2.1

1.1

1.2

2.2

Banished by Duke

Frederick, Rosalind

escapes to Arden

in disguise

with Celia.

Charles the wrestler

arrives with news

that Duke Senior

has been banished

to the woods.

Orlando, in disguise,

beats Charles in a

wrestling bout and

Rosalind is smitten.

Orlando learns his

brother Oliver hoped

to kill him and

escapes to Arden.

Duke Senior

relishes his time in

exile in the forest.