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As You Like It

Chapter 2: Dramatis Personæ
By William Shakespeare
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About This Book

A displaced duke lives in pastoral exile while his daughter escapes the intrigues of court with a loyal cousin and takes refuge in a nearby forest, where several young lovers, a rustic clown, and a contemplative lord converge. Disguises and playful role‑playing set the stage for courtship, comic misunderstandings, and eventual reconciliations among siblings and rulers. Scenes alternate between urbane court life and the woodland’s simple routines to contrast social manners, probe gender and performative identity through cross‑dressing, and mix witty banter, songs, and contemplative monologues that reflect on love, melancholy, and the restorative possibilities of nature.

Contents

ACT I
Scene I. An Orchard near Oliver’s house
Scene II. A Lawn before the Duke’s Palace
Scene III. A Room in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I. The Forest of Arden
Scene II. A Room in the Palace
Scene III. Before Oliver’s House
Scene IV. The Forest of Arden
Scene V. Another part of the Forest
Scene VI. Another part of the Forest
Scene VII. Another part of the Forest
ACT III
Scene I. A Room in the Palace
Scene II. The Forest of Arden
Scene III. Another part of the Forest
Scene IV. Another part of the Forest. Before a Cottage
Scene V. Another part of the Forest
ACT IV
Scene I. The Forest of Arden
Scene II. Another part of the Forest
Scene III. Another part of the Forest
ACT V
Scene I. The Forest of Arden
Scene II. Another part of the Forest
Scene III. Another part of the Forest
Scene IV. Another part of the Forest
Epilogue

Dramatis Personæ

ORLANDO, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
OLIVER, eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
JAQUES DE BOYS, second son of Sir Rowland de Boys
ADAM, Servant to Oliver
DENNIS, Servant to Oliver

ROSALIND, Daughter of Duke Senior
CELIA, Daughter of Duke Frederick
TOUCHSTONE, a Clown

DUKE SENIOR (Ferdinand), living in exile

JAQUES, Lord attending on the Duke Senior
AMIENS, Lord attending on the Duke Senior

DUKE FREDERICK, Brother to the Duke, and Usurper of his Dominions
CHARLES, his Wrestler
LE BEAU, a Courtier attending upon Frederick

CORIN, Shepherd
SILVIUS, Shepherd
PHOEBE, a Shepherdess
AUDREY, a Country Wench
WILLIAM, a Country Fellow, in love with Audrey
SIR OLIVER MARTEXT, a Vicar

A person representing HYMEN

Lords belonging to the two Dukes; Pages, Foresters, and other Attendants.

The scene lies first near Oliver’s house; afterwards partly in the Usurper’s court and partly in the Forest of Arden.