As You Like It Essay

This Study Guide consists of approximately 191 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of As You Like It.

As You Like It Essay

This Study Guide consists of approximately 191 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of As You Like It.
This section contains 5,197 words
(approx. 13 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy the As You Like It Study Guide

[Kelly provides an extensive analysis of Orlando s character, asserting that he is distinct from Shakespeare's other romantic heroes who, as a rule, tend to be portrayed as inept and slightly ridiculous. The critic regards Orlando as generally self-possessed and capable of controlling events in As You Like It; according to Kelly, he also demonstrates a wisdom that sets him apart as a "romantic hero of a new stamp." For further commentary on Orlando's character, see the excerpts by Alfred Harbage, Brigid Brophy, Kenneth Muir, John A. Hart, and Nancy K Hayles.]

As a rule . . . we are inclined to regard Shakespeare's romantic heroes as peculiarly inept and slightly ridiculous figures. The generalization seems warranted and may, in addition, offer a valuable insight into the deepest nature of Shakespearean comedy. Like all-powerful generalizations, however, its very strength constitutes a danger. If our recognition of a pattern in many...

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This section contains 5,197 words
(approx. 13 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy the As You Like It Study Guide
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As You Like It from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.