'As You Like It' Summary in Simple English | Short Summary of 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare
As You Like It
William Shakespeare
Mano any years ago there ruled Duke Frederick in a province of France. The province was Lalso known as dukedom. Duke Frederick was an usurper. He was very shrewd by nature. He had taken the dukedom by force from his elder brother. So the old Duke fled to the forest of Arden. Jacques, Amiens and many other noble followers accompanied him. The life in the forest was full of hardships. Frequently blew over there cold wind followed by snow. Yet the banished old Duke was happy in the forest. The old Duke merrily said, "Sweet are the uses of adversity..."
The tyranny in the court went beyond the limit. Gradually came over the forest a large number of people from the court. They could not like Duke Frederick. They happily wished to stay with their beloved old Duke in the forest. But the old Duke's only daughter Rosalind stayed back in the palace. She was the companion of her cousin Celia. Celia too was the only daughter of Frederick. Though the fathers were bitter enemies, the two sisters were bosom friends. They spent their childhood together in eating, playing, learning and sleeping. They grew up as inseparable as Juno's swans. Rosalind very often recalled her banished father and became sad. Celia then tried to comfort her and promised justice in course of time. In the meantime was held a wrestling match in the court between Charles and Orlando. The young girls tried to persuade Orlando to give up the unequal fight. Charles was the most powerful court wrestler. But Orlando was determined to take the challenge. He thanked the girls and said, "Let your eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial...”
Orlando was the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, a faithful follower of the old Duke. His elder brother Oliver was charged to look after Orlando and properly educate him after their father had died. But Oliver did all the reverse and hated him. His attitude forced Orlando to take up the fight either to be killed or to try his luck. Further the concern of the girls gave Orlando more courage and strength. He overthrew Charles and became victorious. The girls were ecstatic in joy at this feat. Rosalind felt most for him. She was happy to learn that Orlando was the son of Sir Rowland de around Orlando's neck as her mark of love.
She took off her chain and clasped it When Frederick discovered that Orlando was the son of Sir Rowland de Boys, his displeasure e knew no bounds. So Orlando was asked to leave the court. Frederick's displeasure with Orlando extended towards his niece Rosalind also. Her presence in the court drew sympathy of the people for her banished father. This sometimes made Frederick furious. So Rosalind asked Celia to have a secret flight from the palace. Celia had no intention to stay back in the palace without Rosalind. So both of them made a nice plan about their flight. Rosalind was in the guise of a country man named Ganymede and Celia, Aliena in the guise of a country girl. With money and jewels they stole secretly out of the palace. They were accompanied by Touchstone, the court-fool. They took a long journey and reached the forest at last. They were very tired and hungry. Touchstone tried to keep up their spirits by his talks of laughter. They met two shepherds. One of the shepherds was Corin who was a servant to his master. Corin provided them food and shelter. Eventually Ganymede and Aliena bought the master shepherd's cottage, the sheep and the meadows. Corin was kept to look after them.
Orlando's victory over Charles brought about new problems. Orlando's elder brother Oliver too made an another conspiracy against Orlando. Adam, a faithful family servant of Sir Rowland de Boys, informed it to Orlando. So both Orlando and Adam left for the forest of Arden. They reached the forest but could find neither food nor shelter. Adam was too tired to walk any more. He lay down on the ground. In search of food moved Orlando around the forest. Suddenly he came over the dinner of the old Duke and his followers. With a sword in hand Orlando shouted, "Forbear and eat no more!" But the sweet gentle reply of the banished Duke made Orlando ashamed of his behaviour. He prayed for excuse and thereafter brought old Adam to the dinner. By the by, Orlando introduced himself to the banished Duke. Hearing his identity the old Duke was very happy and he was welcomed to live together with them.
Ganymede and Aliena began to enjoy a new life in the forest. They almost forgot that they were Rosalind and Celia. While in search of the banished Duke around the forest, they noticed Rosalind's name carved on the trees. Many love sonnets too were attached to it. They began to wander here and there to find out the author of those sonnets. One day they met Orlando and easily recognised him from the chain around his neck. But the love-lorn Orlando failed to recognise his Rosalind in the guise of a country man. Ganymede complained to him that someone had spoilt the forests by carving a lady's name on the trees. Orlando confessed that he himself had carved for his love for Rosalind. Further Orlando wanted to know about the cure for his love. Then Ganymede asked to meet everyday. Ganymede would pretend to be Rosalind and Orlando should court as he courted her. So the meeting continued and Orlando had an opportunity to say all he felt for Rosalind.
One day Orlando was on his way to Ganymede's cottage. From a distance he saw a man lying on the ground. Being nearer he noticed a snake to have coiled itself around the man's neck. A little later, the snake glided away into the bushes. In the meantime came over there upon the sleeping man a lioness. Orlando saw that the sleeping man was his own brother, Oliver. Then and then he took out his sword and gave a brave fight with the lioness. The lioness was killed, but Orlando got an injury in his arm. When Oliver woke up, he saw his brother's heroic fight to save him at the risk of his own life. He was ashamed of his past behaviour and with remorse begged forgiveness from Orlando. Now both Oliver and Orlando got united and Oliver became completely a transformed man. Aliena began to feel sorry for this change in Oliver. Eventually both Aliena and Oliver fell in love and decided to get married.
After the encounter with lioness, Orlando reached Ganymede's cottage. He learnt that Ganymede was fainted at the news of his fight with a lioness. Further she was happy to learn the affairs between Aliena and Oliver. The wedding day was finalised. Ganymede asked Orlando to bring his Rosalind that day. So all four of them could celebrate the marriage. Ganymede also asked Orlando to be well-dressed and get ready with all his friends to the feast the next day. Now Ganymede came to meet her father, the old Duke. Ganymede was in her male disguise. So the Duke could not recognise her daughter, Rosalind. The following day Ganymede came again to meet her father and asked his permission to allow
his Rosalind to marry Orlando. The Duke happily said, "I would, indeed.” Orlando too was present over there. He promised that he would marry if Ganymede brings his Rosalind there. At this went out Ganymede and Aliena and quickly dressed in their splendid court appearance. The Duke with a little wonder thought of the resemblance with his Rosalind in Ganymede. Orlando too in the same way thought of her. Then appeared before them Rosalind and Celia in their usual couri uniform. Rosalind threw herself down at her father's feet and narrated the entire story. The Duke knew no bounds of joy. The wedding celebration of his daughter and niece was under progress. In the meantime came for the old Duke a message that the dukedom was restored to him. The court had been deserted as the courtiers were on the way to join the old Duke. Angry Duke Frederick came to the forest with a large army to kill the old Duke. On the way he met an old hermit and had long talks with him. The hermit changed his heart and now Frederick became truly repentant. He wished to return the dukedom to his elder brother. At last came the moment of happy union. The old Duke and the trusted lords were all back to the court. Then followed the wedding celebration with pomp and fanfare.
Source:
Parul Smart English (XI) | Dr P C Dhar & P K Ray.
