As You Like It: Language and Writing

As You Like It: Language and Writing explores Shakespeare's best-known comedy, examining literary and theatrical contexts, language forms, and historical changes. It offers activities to enhance students' understanding and critical skills.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 03 June 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

As You Like It: Language and Writing delves into one of Shakespeare's renowned comedies, exploring the literary and theatrical contexts in which the playwright
playwright
was written. It examines in depth the various forms of language used in the play and considers how language and meaning have evolved over time, influenced by performances. Each chapter includes a Writing Matters section that offers suggestions for activities to further enhance students' understanding of the play. This comprehensive guide to Shakespeare's popular comedy equips students with the critical skills to analyze its language, structure, and themes and to expand and enrich their own responses to the play.

Shakespeare's As You Like It is a comedic masterpiece that delves into the complexities of love, loyalty, and identity. Set in the forest of Arden, the play revolves around the character of Rosalind, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to escape the persecution of her uncle, Duke Frederick. Rosalind's journey is filled with humor, romance, and adventure, as she navigates through a series of misunderstandings and conflicts with her love interest, Orlando, and her cousin, Celia.

One of the key themes of the play is the power of language and the way it can shape our perception of the world. Shakespeare uses a variety of linguistic devices to convey meaning and emotion, including puns, irony, and metaphor. For example, Rosalind's disguise as a man is a metaphor for her ability to transcend gender boundaries and challenge societal norms. Orlando's love for Rosalind is characterized by his use of poetic language, which reflects his love for nature and his appreciation for the beauty of the world.

Another theme of the play is the importance of identity and the way we perceive ourselves and others. Rosalind's journey of self-discovery is a testament to the power of identity and the way it can shape our relationships with others. Through her disguise as a man, Rosalind learns to appreciate the qualities that make her unique and valuable, and she begins to see herself as a worthy partner for Orlando. Orlando, on the other hand, is forced to confront his own identity and his perception of Rosalind when he falls in love with her disguised as a man.

The play also explores the complexities of love and the ways in which it can be both destructive and transformative. Rosalind's love for Orlando is characterized by its playful and witty nature, and it is a love that challenges the traditional notions of romance and courtship. Orlando's love for Rosalind, on the other hand, is characterized by its sincerity and vulnerability, and it is a love that is tested by the challenges of societal expectations and gender roles.

The play also explores the role. The play also explores the complexities of power and the way in which it can be both abused and used for good. Duke Frederick's abuse of his power over Rosalind and Celia is a testament to the destructive nature of power, while Rosalind's use of her power to challenge societal norms and empower others is a testament to the transformative nature of power.

In conclusion, As You Like It is a comedic masterpiece that explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and identity. Through its use of language, structure, and themes, Shakespeare provides a rich and nuanced exploration of these themes, and his play continues to resonate with audiences today. Whether through its humor, romance, or its exploration of power and identity, As You Like It is a play that offers something for everyone.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 145 x 222 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350120426