Set Text: As you like it

Picture

This Shakespearean comedy has all the right ingredients: political intrigue, romantic interludes, mistaken identity, witty word-play, cross-dressing, music and song...
When the true Duke and his daughter Rosalind are exiled by a villainous imposter, Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, flee city life to the forest of Arden. Shakespeare's use of the pastoral as a symbol for this new "society outside society creates layers of belonging as cross-dressing Rosalind/Ganymede and Celia discover freedom and romance in a new sort of belonging.

When studying Shakespeare,  watch many versions of the play to discover the different ways directors interpret the text. However, don't forget to base your essay on (your interpretation of) Shakespeare's words, not stage or film versions.

The full text of the play (with plain English translations) can be found at Sparknotes [http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/asyoulikeit]. If you're really having trouble with the play, read the summary first, then the plain English version. However, you set text is the full Shakespearean version. It is Shakespeare's language (his imagery and word play don't work as well in modern English) you have to analyse, not the modern language. At the very least read the key scenes and speeches in the original!

Study guides can be found at
  • HSC Online [http://hsc.csu.edu.au/english/area_of_study/belonging/3680/as_you_like_it.htm]
  • Spark Notes [http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/asyoulikeit] is very simplistic and not really suitable for advanced students.
  • Schmoop [http://www.shmoop.com/as-you-like-it/] has good summaries and analysis to start you off. You still need to apply the language analysis to the concept of belonging - don't just list random techniques1
  • Cummings Study Guides [http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xAsYou.html] has a couple of useful comments about techniques. If you're someone who tends to write random techniques with out explaining why they're used, compare the "Imagery" section (the kind of thing you need to write about belonging) with the "Other figurative language" section (random comments that don't fit an essay).
  • Folger Shakespeare Library [http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=2507] has some excellent activities. Everyone should do the word cluster task (an electronic search on an e-version will work) on the activities page.
  • California Polytechnic State University [http://cla.calpoly.edu/~dschwart/engl339/ayli.html]. includes links to some academic essays about comic and pastoral traditions

Reviews and production notes can be found at
  • Kenneth Branagh Compendium [http://www.branaghcompendium.com/ayli_announcement.html] Links to newspaper reviews
  • Southwest Shakespeare Company [http://www.swshakespeare.org/phocadownload/AsYouLikeIt_teacherguide.pdf] Has an excellent table showing reasons for production choices
  • Film Education [http://www.filmeducation.org/pdf/film/AsYouLikeIt.pdf] This is probably the version you watched in class.
  • Indiana University [http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/productions/2009/asYouLikeIt_StudyGuide.shtml] has an excellent essay about the pastoral as well as explanations of set and costume design

Units of work written for teachers can be found at

Some sample essays can be found below
  • Oxta Education Community [http://savemyhsc.com.au/2011/06/20/sample-hsc-english-essay-belonging/]
  • Troy Martin's Prezi [http://prezi.com/dacx5adnpwjg/as-you-like-it-belonging/]
  • Paper Starter [http://www.paperstarter.com/as_you_like_it_shakespeare.htm] has some sample introductions worth reading over for ideas about different approaches to the play, but remember, none of these essays is about belonging!

WARNING: DON'T PLAGERISE. YOUR TEACHERS USE THIS SITE TOO!