STYLE:
You can learn about the character in As you Like It by examinating the way they speak. For example, if you look at Orlando's use of language in Act 1, you will notice that his statements are bold and direct but always respectful. That suggest that he's a noble young man, forced to stand up for his rights Oliver, in contrast , is unkind and deceitful.The tyrant Duke Frederick often gives optimism and enthusiasm for life that no hardship can subdue . Their speech accordingly bubbles with wit and good humor.
In the forest of Arden , when Orlando's thoughts turn to love,his mode of expression changes. He becomes fanciful and poetic in talking about Rosalind. Silvius and Phebe speak only in verse ; love is all that matters to them. The serverely limited vocabularies of Corin, William, and Audrey tell you that these are genuine rustics_uneducated, and familiar only with matters pertaining to sheep and goats.
Some of the dialogue is written in verse (Silvius and Phebe's,for example) Other characters, like Corin and Audrey, speak less formally in prose. Most of the others alternate between two styles.
Shakespeare's language is loaded with imagery, words and phrases that make you see a picture. The imagery tells you something about the speaker's character or his emotions. A good example is Jaques's famous speech about the Seven Ages of Man(Act 2, scene iii).
Jaques paints a picture to describe each age, from the "mewling and puking" infant to the old man who has entered "second childishness". Each image reflects Jaques's melancholy and overcritical nature.
You can learn about the character in As you Like It by examinating the way they speak. For example, if you look at Orlando's use of language in Act 1, you will notice that his statements are bold and direct but always respectful. That suggest that he's a noble young man, forced to stand up for his rights Oliver, in contrast , is unkind and deceitful.The tyrant Duke Frederick often gives optimism and enthusiasm for life that no hardship can subdue . Their speech accordingly bubbles with wit and good humor.
In the forest of Arden , when Orlando's thoughts turn to love,his mode of expression changes. He becomes fanciful and poetic in talking about Rosalind. Silvius and Phebe speak only in verse ; love is all that matters to them. The serverely limited vocabularies of Corin, William, and Audrey tell you that these are genuine rustics_uneducated, and familiar only with matters pertaining to sheep and goats.
Some of the dialogue is written in verse (Silvius and Phebe's,for example) Other characters, like Corin and Audrey, speak less formally in prose. Most of the others alternate between two styles.
Shakespeare's language is loaded with imagery, words and phrases that make you see a picture. The imagery tells you something about the speaker's character or his emotions. A good example is Jaques's famous speech about the Seven Ages of Man(Act 2, scene iii).
Jaques paints a picture to describe each age, from the "mewling and puking" infant to the old man who has entered "second childishness". Each image reflects Jaques's melancholy and overcritical nature.