AS YOU LIKE

IT
SIMPLY PUT
 INTRODUCTION

As You Like It is a play written by William Shakespeare in

the year 1599. The assignment was given to create a
storybook based on the play. In this said storybook the
following will be highlighted from Act 1 Scene 1 through
to Act 2 Scene 2: a character sketch on all characters
introduced thus far, themes presented, a drawing of the
writer's(ie. The writer of this storybook) and an
explanation as to why this is character is the favourite
and lastly, a creatively developed plot line from the said
acts and scenes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 CHARACTER LIST

This is a list of characters introduced from Act 1 Scene 1

through to Act 2 Scene 2. A character sketch will be done
for each character.

Sir Rowland de Bois- The deceased father of Oliver, Jacques

and Orlando. He was a friend of Duke Senior and one of Duke
Federick's many foes.

Orlando- Orlando is the son of Sir Rowland de Bois. He is the

youngest amongst his father's three children. He is a loveable young
lad as described by his oldest brother, Oliver. Orlando is courageous
and kind but not very witful. He is of a noble home but was denied
schooling although he proves to everyone the he is needless as he is
already a gentleman. Orlando meets Rosalind in scene 2 in act 1 in
which he falls hopelessly in love with her and does not fail to let the
whole world know.
The word I would use to describe Orlando is loud. He isn't a
boisterous person if that is what you are thinking when I say loud.
What I am saying is that he demands your attention and in
wonderfully cheerful way. He is, to me, like the sun, when he steps
into a room he becomes the center of attention and he keeps it until
he leaves. His personality is loud and demanding of your attention.
Adam- Adam was a servant in the home of the Sir Rowland de Bois.
He is the old man who accompanies Orlando into exile willingly and
even funds the journey of both him and his young master. Adam in
the eyes of anyone who reads the play is the perfect representation of
loyalty and devotion.

Oliver- The infamous older brother and first child of Sir Rowland de
Bois. He is the first antagonist introduced in the play. He is the sole
inheritor of de Bois estate. He however keeps Oliver from his
bequeathment and schooling as such starts a war between family.
Oliver is a hateful and begrudging towards his brother without
reason. He though eventually undergoes a huge transformation as he
realizes that there is true generosity and love in the world as he was
saved by his brother and falls in love with Orlando's companion.
Oliver in my eyes is a real representation of the phrase "people
change".

Dennis- A simple servant.

Charles- Charles is a wrestler in Duke Federick's court. He is simply

a caring man and shows this when he approaches Oliver with a plea to
persuade his brother to pull out of the fight so that he doesn't have
hurt him.
Celia- Celia is the daughter of Duke Federick. She is fair minded and
does not agree with her father's wrong doings. She is a contradiction
to the saying "chip doesn't fall far from the block", in fact she flies
very far from the block. She follows her favourite cousin into exile
when her father banished her. Celia depicts of how honourable she is
when she when she promises to relay the throne to Rosalind when
Duke Federick dies. She doesn't succumb to the selfish desires of
claiming the throne.

Rosalind- Rosalind is the Daughter of Duke Senior and the love of

Orlando. She is a witful, determined and kind hearted. She is gentle
and encourages all those around her to be the same. She is a true
heroine as she turns the hearts of the rough into to those of the kind
therefore creating a world gentleness and love.

Touchstone- The jester in Duke Federick's court. He follows Celia

and Rosalind into exile. He is terrible at his job however and therefore
brings with him an air of discomfort and unease.

Le Beau- He is a gossiper in the court of Duke Federick and

insensitive the feelings of those who rather not see someone else
hurt. He however saves Orlando y telling him to flee before feeling
the wrath of Duke Federick.

Duke Senior- He is the father of Rosalind and the original court

owner. He was sent in to exile by his younger brother who then took
over the court. He is content with his life no matter the circumstances
and makes what he will of it. Just like his daughter, Duke Senior is
kind and fair.

Amiens- A jolly lord who follows Duke Senior into exile. He enjoys
singing.

First Lord- A lord who follows Duke Senior into exile.

Second Lord- A lord who follows Duke Senior into exile.

 THEMES AND EVIDENCE

In this section three themes will be highlighted and

evidence will be provided.

Love- Love is probably the most prominent theme in the play As You
Like It. Love is shown in almost every act of the play, whether or not it
is clashing with another emotion. Love is defined as a feeling of strong
affection. The first showcasing of love in the play is the will that Sir
Rowland de Bois leaves behind bequeathing his son Orlando with
1000 crowns which he could in turn take care of himself with after the
death of his father. A more prominent showcasing is after the
wrestling match where Orlando meets Rosalind and instantly falls in
love with her.

Family Relations- As You Like It highlights all the problems in a

found in a family. In this play family members clash constantly. From
the usurping Duke Federick to his older brother Duke Senior to the
hate that Celia has for her father because of his malicious acts.
Another example is the fight between Orlando and his older brother
Oliver as they fight over the treatment of Orlando after the death of
his father. Though mostly hateful, there are still bonds within the
family that follow the correct and expected path of love. Take for
example the relationship between Celia and Rosalind. They are the
epitome of best friends and they do everything for the benefit of
them both. They never leave each other behind, for example when
Duke Federick banishes Rosalind and sends her into exile, Celia
follows her into exile without complaint as she says she will not allow
her to go by herself.

Foolishness and Folly- As the play was written to be comedic it

is only natural that folly is a major theme. In the play, a lot of things
are made fun of like love. Take for example when Rosalind says "From
henceforth I will, coz, and devise sports. Let me see—what think you
of falling in love?". In that statement she refers to the idea love being
a joke or for one of a foolish mind. Or where Touchstone says that
sometimes a jester's words are sometimes of more merit than those
of the "wise" though he is a licensed fool.
 CREATIVELY DEVELOPED PLOT
LINE

In this section of the storybook, the story line will be

creatively developed. For this I will use pictures to
illustrate the story.
Act 1 Scene 1

Orlando complaining to Adam

about his ill-treatment.

Orlando choking Oliver after confronting him about his ill treatment.
Charles pleads with Oliver to discourage Orlando from
wrestling with him.
Act 1 Scene 2

Celia tries to cheer up Rosalind and promises to hand

over the throne to her.