Belonging: As You Like It and the Birdcage
Belonging Essay – As you like it and the Birdcage
The true sense of belonging can be found in different circumstances for different people. As each individual has their own desires, needs and values, they find their place in the world and a genuine sense of belonging in various avenues. Individuals may achieve the same sense that they truly belong outside relationships, though their connections to other ideas such as place and culture, or within themselves. Shakespeare’s As you like it and Mike Nichols The Birdcage are two texts in which an exploration of belonging is found as belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. Relationships by nature are the ideas of a connection between two people which can fulfil human needs such as the need for social interaction, and thus can result in the individuals involved achieving a true sense of belonging. When individuals find meaning and tenacity in connections with other people, as they often do in relationships, the need to belong is fulfilled in the greatest sense as the individual’s life is enriched by the positive outcomes for their self-esteem, security and stability. This idea can be seen in the relationship between Adam and Orlando set up by Shakespeare in As You Like It. Adam promises that he will “follow thee to the last gasp with truth and loyalty” when Orlando decides to go to the forest. Shakespeare effectively emphasizes the lack of fun that exists in this relationship as opposed to other relationships he sets up in the play. Through this, Shakespeare communicates that in relationships which are built on trust, loyalty or other solid connections between people, individuals can find meaning, stability, purpose and thus a true sense that they belong. Relationships to a place is the concept of fitting in and being part of a group, in the Birdcage Armond shows his sense of belonging in his club as when he is walking around he is greeted by
The true sense of belonging can be found in different circumstances for different people. As each individual has their own desires, needs and values, they find their place in the world and a genuine sense of belonging in various avenues. Individuals may achieve the same sense that they truly belong outside relationships, though their connections to other ideas such as place and culture, or within themselves. Shakespeare’s As you like it and Mike Nichols The Birdcage are two texts in which an exploration of belonging is found as belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. Relationships by nature are the ideas of a connection between two people which can fulfil human needs such as the need for social interaction, and thus can result in the individuals involved achieving a true sense of belonging. When individuals find meaning and tenacity in connections with other people, as they often do in relationships, the need to belong is fulfilled in the greatest sense as the individual’s life is enriched by the positive outcomes for their self-esteem, security and stability. This idea can be seen in the relationship between Adam and Orlando set up by Shakespeare in As You Like It. Adam promises that he will “follow thee to the last gasp with truth and loyalty” when Orlando decides to go to the forest. Shakespeare effectively emphasizes the lack of fun that exists in this relationship as opposed to other relationships he sets up in the play. Through this, Shakespeare communicates that in relationships which are built on trust, loyalty or other solid connections between people, individuals can find meaning, stability, purpose and thus a true sense that they belong. Relationships to a place is the concept of fitting in and being part of a group, in the Birdcage Armond shows his sense of belonging in his club as when he is walking around he is greeted by