Influence of Pastoral Romance and/or Classical Comedy in As You Like It
How far is it possible to recognise the influence of Pastoral Romance and Classical Comedy in the opening scene of ‘As You Like It’?
One way it is possible to recognise the influence of classical comedy in the opening scene is through the dialectic structure, which is a key theme of old comedy, shown by the conflict between the brothers Orlando and Oliver. The conflict between them is created by the fact that, despite his father’s dying wishes, Oliver hasn’t educated Orlando; given him his inheritance he was promised or acknowledged him as his brother. Evidence of this is that Orlando says ‘my father charged you…to give me good education…you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities ’. The use of the word ‘charged’ suggests their father still has power even in death out of respect for the dead and out of respect for him as a father, which in turn leads to the assumption power is a hereditary thing that you are born into or with. This links to the argument whether you can, in fact, work your way up to a position of power rather than just being born into it.
However there is also evidence of a pastoral influence when Charles says ‘they live like the old Robin Hood of England’. This suggests the country side (The Forest of Ardenne) is beyond the cares and laws of the court. And also shows the forest through a sophisticated townsman’s idealised image of rural life. Whereas in real life- as much as a life in the forest is much more carefree and relaxed- it also holds its own problems and harsh rules of living with nature. Also, the use of the words ‘old Robin Hood’ suggests the forest is a place of fairy tales and tradition.
Another influence of classical comedy is that it challenges the political, social and moral traditions established within the court which is a main component of old comedy. The way traditions are challenged is through Orlando standing up to his older brother for his right to his inheritance and
One way it is possible to recognise the influence of classical comedy in the opening scene is through the dialectic structure, which is a key theme of old comedy, shown by the conflict between the brothers Orlando and Oliver. The conflict between them is created by the fact that, despite his father’s dying wishes, Oliver hasn’t educated Orlando; given him his inheritance he was promised or acknowledged him as his brother. Evidence of this is that Orlando says ‘my father charged you…to give me good education…you have trained me like a peasant, obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities ’. The use of the word ‘charged’ suggests their father still has power even in death out of respect for the dead and out of respect for him as a father, which in turn leads to the assumption power is a hereditary thing that you are born into or with. This links to the argument whether you can, in fact, work your way up to a position of power rather than just being born into it.
However there is also evidence of a pastoral influence when Charles says ‘they live like the old Robin Hood of England’. This suggests the country side (The Forest of Ardenne) is beyond the cares and laws of the court. And also shows the forest through a sophisticated townsman’s idealised image of rural life. Whereas in real life- as much as a life in the forest is much more carefree and relaxed- it also holds its own problems and harsh rules of living with nature. Also, the use of the words ‘old Robin Hood’ suggests the forest is a place of fairy tales and tradition.
Another influence of classical comedy is that it challenges the political, social and moral traditions established within the court which is a main component of old comedy. The way traditions are challenged is through Orlando standing up to his older brother for his right to his inheritance and