Pop Up Shakespeare: As You Like It (the short version)

Seven League Boots (@7_LeagueBoots)

25 Jul 201706:08

Summary

TLDRIn a condensed adaptation of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It,' the story unfolds with Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Bois, at odds with his brother Oliver over inheritance. After a wrestling match where Orlando triumphs over Charles, the Duke's champion, he catches the eye of Rosalind, the daughter of the banished Duke. When Rosalind is also banished, she and her cousin Celia, along with others, flee to the Forest of Arden. Disguised as Ganymede and Aliena, they encounter Orlando, who is smitten with Rosalind. A series of comedic misunderstandings and love triangles ensue, with characters falling in and out of love. Eventually, Oliver is saved by Orlando, leading to reconciliation, and Duke Frederick's conversion to a religious life removes the barrier to happiness. The play concludes with multiple marriages and Rosalind breaking the fourth wall, addressing the audience with a playful offer to kiss all the bearded men, leaving everyone in high spirits.

Takeaways

👨‍👧 Orlando, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Bois, is in conflict with his brother Oliver over inheritance issues.
🥊 Orlando decides to wrestle Duke Frederick's champion, Charles, and against all odds, he wins the match, impressing Rosalind.
💕 Rosalind, who is already smitten with Orlando, learns that her father and Orlando's were friends, which deepens her affection for him.
👑 Duke Frederick, feeling threatened by the friendship between Rosalind and Celia, banishes Rosalind under false accusations.
🧝‍♂️ Rosalind, in exile, disguises herself as a man named Ganymede, while Celia takes on the persona of a woman named Aliena.
🌲 In the Forest of Arden, Orlando, heartbroken and in love with Rosalind, writes sonnets and posts them on trees.
📜 Ganymede (Rosalind) encounters Orlando and devises a plan to 'cure' him of his love sickness by impersonating Rosalind.
🏞️ The Forest of Arden becomes a place where multiple characters experience love triangles and unrequited love.
🐍 Oliver, Orlando's brother, has a change of heart after Orlando saves him from a snake bite, leading to a complex web of relationships.
🦊 Touchstone, Duke Frederick's jester, falls in love with a goatherd named Audrey, adding another layer to the romantic entanglements.
🧘 Duke Frederick, after meeting a hermit, adopts a religious lifestyle, which indirectly aids the resolution of the play's conflicts.
💍 The play culminates in a series of marriages, resolving the romantic complications and restoring the rightful Duke to power.
🎭 Rosalind breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience and hoping that their story has brought them joy, ending the play on a light-hearted note.

Q & A

Who is the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Bois?
-Orlando is the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Bois.
Why is Orlando angry with his brother Oliver?
-Orlando is angry with his brother Oliver because Oliver is keeping Orlando's share of the inheritance from him.
What is the role of Adam in the wrestling match between Charles and Orlando?
-Adam is the family Butler and Orlando's confidante who breaks up the fight between Orlando and Oliver.
Why does Charles believe that Orlando should be killed during the wrestling match?
-Charles believes that Orlando should be killed during the wrestling match because Oliver tricks Charles into thinking that Orlando is plotting against him.
How does Rosalind learn that her father and Orlando's father were good friends?
-Rosalind finds out that her father and Orlando's father were good friends after she goes to congratulate Orlando for beating Charles in the wrestling match.
What happens to Rosalind after Duke Frederick banishes her?
-After Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind, she disguises herself as a man named Ganymede and, along with Celia (disguised as a young woman named Aliena), they go into exile in the Forest of Arden.
How does Orlando demonstrate his love for Rosalind after fleeing to the Forest of Arden?
-Orlando, sick with love for Rosalind, begins writing sonnets for her and posting them on trees in the forest.
What is Rosalind's plan to cure Orlando of his love sickness?
-Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, hatches a plot to cure Orlando of his love sickness by pretending to be his lost love, Rosalind.
How does Oliver's attitude towards Orlando change after a near-death experience?
-Oliver's attitude towards Orlando changes after Orlando saves him from a deadly snake bite, which results in Orlando being wounded in the process.
What significant change does Duke Frederick undergo after meeting a hermit in the forest?
-After meeting a hermit in the forest, Duke Frederick is converted to a strict religious lifestyle, which leads to him renouncing his previous actions and removing himself as the main obstacle to everyone's happiness.
How does the story of 'As You Like It' end?
-The story ends with a series of marriages: Rosalind to Orlando, Celia to Oliver, Phoebe to Silvius, and Audrey to Touchstone. Duke Frederick returns Rosalind's father to his rightful status as Duke Senior, and everyone is happy. Rosalind breaks the fourth wall to address the audience, hoping their story has pleased them.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 'As You Like It' - Shakespearean Conflicts and Disguises

In this adaptation of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It,' we meet Orlando, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Bois, who is embroiled in a family feud with his elder brother Oliver over inheritance. The conflict escalates into a physical confrontation, which is interrupted by their family's loyal butler, Adam. Oliver, under duress, appears to agree to share the inheritance but instead conspires with Charles, the Duke's champion, to kill Orlando during a wrestling match. Meanwhile, Rosalind, the daughter of the banished Duke, and her cousin Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter, attend the wrestling match. Despite the odds, Orlando triumphs over Charles, captivating the crowd and Rosalind's heart. The revelation of a past friendship between their fathers brings Orlando and Rosalind closer. However, Duke Frederick, displeased with their camaraderie, banishes Rosalind. Celia, devoted to her friend, decides to accompany her into exile. In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind and Celia adopt disguises as Ganymede and Aliena, respectively, and encounter various characters, including the jester Touchstone. Orlando, smitten by Rosalind, writes sonnets and posts them on trees, unknowingly attracting the attention of Rosalind in her Ganymede disguise. The narrative becomes a complex web of unrequited love, with multiple characters falling for one another. Oliver, having been saved by Orlando, falls for Celia, and Touchstone finds love with a goatherd named Audrey. Duke Frederick experiences a religious conversion, paving the way for the resolution of conflicts. The story culminates with Ganymede promising to resolve the entangled relationships, leading to multiple marriages and the restoration of Rosalind's father to his ducal status. The play concludes with Rosalind addressing the audience, breaking the fourth wall, and expressing a wish to kiss all the bearded men, leaving the audience with a playful and satisfying resolution.

05:02

🎉 'As You Like It' - The Resolution and Finale

The second paragraph of the script describes the resolution of the intricate love entanglements that have developed in the Forest of Arden. The previously disguised characters reveal their true identities, leading to a series of marriages that unite the characters and resolve the romantic conflicts. Specifically, Rosalind marries Orlando, Celia marries a character not previously mentioned (possibly a mistake in the script as it does not align with the original play), Phoebe marries Silvius, and Audrey marries Touchstone. The newly pious Duke Frederick, having undergone a religious transformation, restores Rosalind's father to his position as Duke Senior, thus righting past wrongs. The play ends on a joyous note with everyone dancing, celebrating the newfound happiness and harmony. Rosalind, stepping out of character, speaks directly to the audience, hoping that their story has been pleasing and playfully expressing a desire to kiss the bearded men among the spectators. The script concludes with a prompt for the audience to read the full play if they enjoyed this summary, followed by a musical cue.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Orlando

Orlando is the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Bois and the protagonist of the story. He is initially angry with his brother Oliver over an inheritance dispute. Orlando's character represents the struggle for justice and recognition, which is a central theme in the play. His journey from being wronged by his brother to finding love and identity in the Forest of Arden is a significant part of the narrative.

💡Inheritance

Inheritance is a legal term referring to the process of passing on property, titles, debts, rights, and obligations after someone's death. In the context of the video, it is the source of conflict between Orlando and his brother Oliver, and it sets the stage for Orlando's journey and transformation. The withholding of Orlando's inheritance is a symbol of familial strife and the injustice he faces.

💡Wrestling Match

A wrestling match is a physical contest between two individuals, often with specific rules and objectives. In the video, the wrestling match between Orlando and Charles, the Duke's champion, is a pivotal event that showcases Orlando's bravery and underdog status. It also serves as a catalyst for the recognition of Orlando's abilities and his subsequent banishment, furthering the plot.

💡Rosalind

Rosalind is the daughter of the rightful Duke, who has been banished, and she is a central character in the play. She is characterized by her wit, intelligence, and strength of character. Rosalind's banishment and subsequent disguise as Ganymede are key elements of the story, illustrating themes of identity, gender roles, and the power of love. Her relationship with Orlando and her actions in the Forest of Arden are central to the narrative.

💡Disguise

Disguise refers to the act of concealing one's identity by dressing in a costume or pretending to be someone else. In the video, Rosalind's disguise as Ganymede and Celia's as Aliena are crucial plot devices. They allow the characters to explore themes of gender, identity, and social roles. The disguises also facilitate the complex romantic entanglements and the eventual resolution of the story.

💡Forest of Arden

The Forest of Arden is a fictional location in the play, serving as a refuge for the banished and a place where the normal rules of society do not apply. It represents a space of freedom and transformation for the characters. In the video, the forest is where Orlando, Rosalind, and others find themselves, leading to a series of romantic and comedic encounters that drive the plot.

💡Love

Love is a central theme in the play, with various forms and manifestations. It is depicted as a powerful force that can cause both joy and conflict. In the video, love is explored through the relationships between Orlando and Rosalind, Phoebe and Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise), and others. The play uses love to examine human emotions, desires, and the complexities of romantic relationships.

💡Banishment

Banishment is the act of being expelled from a place, often as a form of punishment. In the video, both Rosalind and Orlando experience banishment, which leads them to the Forest of Arden. This keyword is significant as it sets the characters on a path of self-discovery and brings about the play's resolution. Banishment is also symbolic of the characters' separation from societal norms and expectations.

💡Sonnets

Sonnets are a form of poetry consisting of 14 lines, often written in iambic pentameter. In the video, Orlando writes sonnets for Rosalind, which he posts on trees in the Forest of Arden. These sonnets serve as a means of expressing his love and longing for Rosalind, and they contribute to the romantic and poetic atmosphere of the play.

💡Exile

Exile is the state of being expelled or forced to leave one's country or home. In the context of the video, Rosalind and Celia's decision to go into exile is a testament to their friendship and loyalty. Exile is a recurring theme in the play, symbolizing the characters' journey away from societal constraints and towards personal growth and fulfillment.

💡Cure of Love Sickness

Love sickness is a term used to describe the intense longing and emotional distress caused by unrequited love. In the video, Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, devises a plan to 'cure' Orlando's love sickness by pretending to be Rosalind. This concept is significant as it showcases Rosalind's wit and resourcefulness and adds a layer of comedy and intrigue to the plot.

💡Marriage

Marriage is the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. In the video, the culmination of the story involves a series of marriages that signify the resolution of the romantic entanglements and the establishment of new relationships. Marriage is a symbol of love, commitment, and the happy ending that the characters seek.

Highlights

Orlando is the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Bois and is angry with his brother Oliver over inheritance issues.

Orlando and Oliver engage in a heated conflict, with Adam, the family butler, intervening to prevent escalation.

Oliver plots against Orlando, planning to have him killed during a wrestling match against the Duke's champion, Charles.

Rosalind's father, the rightful Duke, is banished, and Rosalind remains due to her friendship with Celia, Duke Frederick's daughter.

Charles, the wrestling champion, is favored to win, but Orlando, the underdog, surprisingly defeats him.

Rosalind discovers a connection between her and Orlando's fathers and congratulates Orlando, inadvertently winning his heart.

Duke Frederick, displeased with Rosalind and Orlando's friendship, banishes Rosalind on false accusations.

Rosalind and Celia decide to go into exile together, with Rosalind disguising herself as a man named Ganymede.

Orlando returns home to learn of a plot on his life and flees to the Forest of Arden with Adam.

In the Forest of Arden, Orlando, lovesick for Rosalind, begins writing sonnets and posting them on trees.

Rosalind, as Ganymede, and Celia, as Aliena, adopt a shepherding lifestyle in the forest.

Ganymede encounters Orlando and devises a plan to cure his love sickness by pretending to be Rosalind.

A complex love web forms with Phoebe falling for Ganymede and Silvius for Phoebe, despite her rejection.

Oliver arrives in the forest, revealing that Orlando saved him from a snake bite, further complicating the relationships.

Ganymede (Rosalind) faints, leading Oliver to fall in love with Celia, and Touchstone falls for a goatherd named Audrey.

Duke Frederick encounters a hermit, changes his ways, and becomes a religious man, removing obstacles for the characters.

All protagonists converge in the forest, where Ganymede promises to resolve the tangled love affairs.

Rosalind drops her disguise, triggering a series of marriages among the characters, restoring happiness.

Duke Frederick returns, restoring Rosalind's father to his rightful position, and everyone finds joy.

Rosalind addresses the audience, hoping their story has pleased them and humorously expresses a desire to kiss the bearded men.