The audience's first impression of the forest of Arden is from Charles, the undefeated wrestler whom Orlando is about to defeat. Charles informs Oliver, in regard t

Touchstone and his relationships with people in the forest of Arden reveals several insights into country life. Touchstone is the main source of comedy in the play and one major vehicle for his comedy is to play on the various perspectives of others in regard to country life. "Instead of representing or expressing a forthright point of view, [Touchstone] is intended to expose and mock, in straightforward statements or by means of irony, the attitudes of other people" (Phialas 227). His role is similar to Jacques in that they both rely on others to express themselves and yet they hold opposite attitudes towards the court versus country debate. Touchstone is a courtly character and expresses this upon his entrance to the forest of Arden that "when I was at home, I was in a better place, but travelers must be content" (Shakespeare 32). Touchstone's time with Corin begins his play on perspectives, partly in the fact that Corin is a born and raised shepherd and enjoys a simple life in nature. Touchstone's speech to Corin that begins "truly, shepherd, in respect of itself, it is a good life; but in respect that it is a shepherd's life, it is naught..." (47) reveals that his own perspective is malleable and will change with regard to his company. Touchstone is not 'experienced' as Jacques is in a philosophical sense; rather experienced in human relations upon which he draws his comedy. Touchstone condemns Corin for he has never been in the court, and Corin responds in the simplistic statement that "those that are good manners at court are as ridiculous in the country as the behavior of the country is most mockable at the court" (48). In this respect the simple shepherd has detected Touchstone's courtly wit and, although not openly, Touchstone is willing to give country life a chance. He eventually departs with Corin "not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage" (52). However Touchstone's "comments on the conflict between pastoral life and life at court cannot be taken in a strict biographical and psychological consistent sense" and he "refuses to idealize life in Arden or the ways of pastoral wooing" (Phialas 228-30). Touchstone's role in As You Like It is cynical towards wooing lovers, optimistic Dukes, and simple shepherds alike for he completely opposes pastoral values.

eved that solitary man enjoyed original happiness because he was free from the sins of society, such as jealousy and envy, and could peacefully co-exist with nature. Thus from being an attendant to Duke Senior in Court to being immersed in nature with courtly men, Jacques finally leaves to be free from vice of his main antagonist-man.

Orlando's experience is rather different from that of Rosalind and Celia. He has been repressed and treated in contempt by his older brother, Oliver, who we find out is going to kill him. Oliver refers to his younger brother as "gentle, never schooled and yet learned, full of noble devices, of all sorts enchantingly beloved" (Shakespeare 8). Orlando appears to be well suited for country life and to have been rather unsuited for courtly life. The division that separates Orlando and Oliver is one of love and hate, a gap that closes upon their mutual experiences in the forest of Arden. Orlando leaves the court with Adam, an old servant of his father, who gives Orlando his money for retirement and offers his assistance, stating "my age is as a lusty winter, frosty but kindly" (30). Adam appears unsuited to courtly life as well for he values his friend, Orlando, so highly that he is willing to give his complete servitude and his savings. He is uncorrupt and trustworthy, perhaps naive as well, and this is noted in Orlando's remark that "thou art not for the fashion of these times" (31). These two set out in exile from the court in anticipation of a more simple life, perhaps one more suited to their natures.

Criticism of the Duke's speech ranges from him "invoking the pastoral vision and the idea of a new society in ext

Some common words found in the essay are:
Duke Senior, Touchstone's Corin, Rosalind Celia, Senior Court, , Arden Orlando, William Touchstone, Orlando McFarland, Jacques Lord, Orlando Christ-like, forest arden, duke senior, country life, courtly life, rosalind celia, reveals insights, pastoral life, nature characters, entrance forest arden, enjoyment pastoral life, experiences forest, court versus country, comedy play, versus country debate, easy ambivalence characters,
Approximate Word count = 2903
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)