study guide for As You Like It - Stratford Festival

The Story
Duke Senior, whose realm has been usurped by his younger brother, Duke
Frederick, lives in exile in the Forest of Arden, attended by several loyal lords,
including the melancholy philosopher Jaques. Duke Senior’s daughter,
Rosalind, falls in love with Orlando, who has come to Duke Frederick’s court
to compete in a wrestling match; but the two are parted when she too is
banished. Disguising herself as a youth named Ganymede, and accompanied
by her cousin, Celia, and the court fool, Touchstone, Rosalind goes to join her
father in the forest. Orlando, having learned that his elder brother, Oliver, is
plotting against his life, flees there too, but does not recognize Rosalind
when he meets her in her male attire. Seeing an opportunity to test the
sincerity of his love, the disguised Rosalind engages Orlando in a game of
romantic role-playing. Meanwhile, she must also deflect the attentions of
Phebe, a shepherdess who finds “Ganymede” a much more attractive
proposition than the adoring shepherd Silvius. When Orlando saves the life of
Oliver, who has followed him into the forest, the brothers are reconciled. As
Rosalind reveals her true identity, word arrives that Duke Frederick has
undergone a religious conversion and has restored Duke Senior’s crown and
lands.
Cast of Characters
DUKE SENIOR, living in exile
DUKE FREDERICK, his brother and usurper of his dominions
LE BEAU, a courtier attending on Frederick
CHARLES, Duke Frederick’s wrestler
TOUCHSTONE, a Fool at the Duke’s court
OLIVER, eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
ORLANDO, second son of Sir Rowland de Boys
JAQUES DE BOYS, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
DENIS, servant to Oliver
ADAM, servant to Oliver
AMIENS, lord attending on Duke Senior
JAQUES, lord attending on Duke Senior
CORIN, shepherd in the Forest of Arden
SILVIUS, shepherd in the Forest of Arden
WILLIAM, a country fellow
SIR OLIVER MARTEXT, vicar of the country parish
ROSALIND, daughter to Duke Senior
CELIA, daughter to Duke Frederick
PHOEBE, a shepherdess
AUDREY, a goat-herd
Lords attending on the Dukes, with pages and other attendants
As You Like It Study Guide 1
Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2010