As You Like It - Context Research

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy written by Shakespeare in either 1599 or 1600. It follows Rosalind’s flee from her uncle’s court after being banished a short while after her father was. Accompanied by her cousin, Celia and the court jester, Touchstone they hide within the Forest of Arden in hope of finding safety, and eventually love. Rosalind disguises as men, as it would be too dangerous for two women to be traveling alone.

It’s assumed that the first performance was performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men in the new Globe Theatre in 1599. This was believed to be one of the first plays performed at the new Globe Theatre, alongside Henry V and Julius Caesar. There was a minimal amount of staging and scenery for each performance, as in that time period they didn’t have a lot of money to provide themselves with them. Aside this, the Globe has the audience surrounding the perimeter of the stage and therefore it would’ve been difficult to change the scenery subtlety. They’d primarily set the scene with dialogue so the audience would understand when the scene changes, for example “The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.” This was the easiest way on letting the audience know where the scene was without using any kind of set. However, they often used the pillars on either side of the stage as trees. Prop use was also minimal. Special effects were used, but were presented by things such as cannons and fireworks to recreate thunder and lightning. Performances had to be held only during the day as there was no electricity for lighting in the dark. There were three levels of seating, which depended on your social status. All seating levels cost 2 pennies and were for those richer audiences, whereas the standing area called “The Groundlings” cost 1 penny per person for the lower members of society. Those standing would tend to get distracted and rowdy, which would distract others aswell as the performers. A technique used to catch attention from these types of audiences was the change of verse form. The experience for the audience in the globe was very different to those who were to watch a performance at the famous theatre today. Those seated were obviously better class than those standing, which would take effect into the individuals' experience.

Within ‘As You Like It’, many themes are shown through relationships of the characters, issues between them and the plot of the play. ‘Love’ is one of central themes of this play, which is the theme Shakespeare is most popular for writing with. This theme is shown between many of characters such as Rosalind and Orlando, who follow his traditional love-stories by having ‘love at first sight’ which also feature between the relationships of the other characters. Love is also shown between Celia and Rosalind, who have a deep bond. Being a romantic comedy, there are also elements of mocking the theme with the relationship between Touchstone and Audrey. Usurping, injustice and forgiveness are all also featured themes within the play. The play ends happily with the issues being solved, such as Frederick being “converted by a hermit” and restored the dukedom back to Duke Senior. Oliver learns to love his brother, Orlando as he experiences a “change of heart”. The play ends in such merriment between characters. Another theme is ‘City life versus Country life’. This theme is extremely popular within pastoral comedy, and it suggests that those who are corrupted by city life can be remedied by a trip to the open country side. Those would then return to the city a better person, as the country is seen therapeutic. This links thoroughly with the play as throughout the beginning, it is set within the city and is then situated in the Forest of Arden following the Duke’s banishment. The mood of the city has adjusted after Fredericks revelation to return the throne back to his brother. This play however does not pit the two settings against one another, but suggests an equal balance between the both. This is because although the forest offers shelter from those strained from the city and court, it also yearns for urban style and vis versa.

A modern production of ‘As You Like It’ performed at the Courtyard Theatre in 2010 showed elements of a contemporary take of the play. In this production they use modern technology to create effect such as lighting and music. They however, maintain Shakespeare traditional elements and keep the time of the play as Elizabethan England. When performed at the Globe Theatre, they didn't have the opportunity to use such technical things to create such effect or sounds. Therefore, would use a canon to create sound and a live band to create music. Many of Shakespeares plays are contemporary yet save the Shakespearean language. This play maintains the era’s costumes and props however. Another contemporary aspect of this performance would be the set. With today's resources, the company don't hold back on creating a contemporary and very creative set for the performance. They have things such as trap doors and materials that were unable to get a hold off back in the 1500's/1600's. I find they use the modern technology and resources to their advantage, and use it to create a beautifully creative interpretation.