How do characters change throughout a play, story, or novel? Well, in the play As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, many different characters change during their stay in the Forest of Arden. A handful of characters meet new people and undergo new, different experiences that change the characters forever.
In Act V, scene ii Oliver explains the two major changes he undergoes to his younger brother Orlando. Oliver says, “I love Aliena,” (V, ii, 7). This shows how after entering the Forest of Arden Oliver meets Aliena once and becomes lovesick. However, before he had entered the forest Oliver had shown no emotion that could lead to lovesickness. Oliver changed in another major way in Act IV, scene iii when he says, “To tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.”(IV, iii, 137-138). This explains how Oliver’s affection towards his brother Orlando has dramatically changed since Oliver had entered the Forest of Arden. Before entering the Forest of Arden Oliver despised his brother and had even attempted to kill Orlando twice. But after, entering the forest Oliver’s was saved by Orlando who could have easily left Oliver there to die. After this experience Oliver had an epiphany realizing his bad doings and decided to change and care for his younger brother. This shows one example of the changes a character undergoes while in Arden.
Another character who significantly changes after the Forest of Arden is Duke Fredrick. In Act V scene iv lines 162-163 Jacques de Boys says “His crown bequeathing to his banished brother, And all lands restored to the magain...” Jacques de Boys also states in Act V scene iv lines 160-161, “Where meeting with an old religious man, After some questions with him, was converted…” These two quotes show how Duke Fredrick transforms after entering the forest. His first major change is how he gave up his royalty and dukedom to become a monk. Before, entering the Forest of