◆ Comedy · c. 1599

As You Like It

Banished to the Forest of Arden, a duke's daughter disguises herself as a young man and finds wit, love, and freedom among exiles, shepherds, and fools.

In As You Like It, witty words and romance play out against the disputes of divided pairs of brothers. Orlando's older brother, Oliver, treats him badly and refuses him his small inheritance from their father's estate; Oliver schemes instead to have Orlando die in a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Duke Frederick has forced his older brother, Duke Senior, into exile in the Forest of Arden.

Duke Senior's daughter, Rosalind, and Duke Frederick's daughter, Celia, meet the victorious Orlando at the wrestling match; Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Banished by her uncle, Rosalind assumes a male identity and leaves with Celia and their fool, Touchstone. Orlando flees Oliver's murderous plots.

In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind, in her male disguise, forms a teasing friendship with Orlando. Oliver, searching for Orlando, reforms after Orlando saves his life. Rosalind reveals her identity, triggering several weddings, including her own with Orlando and Celia's with Oliver. Duke Frederick restores the dukedom to Duke Senior, who leaves the forest with his followers.

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As You Like It Characters

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ROSALINDThe banished duke's daughter, disguised as Ganymede in the forest.
ORLANDOA mistreated younger son who wins Rosalind's heart at a wrestling match.
CELIARosalind's devoted cousin, who flees the court disguised as Aliena.
DUKE SENIORThe rightful duke, living contentedly in exile in the forest.
DUKE FREDERICKDuke Senior's usurping brother, whose sudden malice sets the plot in motion.
OLIVEROrlando's cruel elder brother, transformed by an act of forgiveness.