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The Forest Of Arden: Adherence And Critiques Of The Pastoral Golden World

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The Forest of Arden: Adherence and Critiques of the Pastoral Golden World
Shakespeare, in As You Like It, places the transformation of characters within the magical, yet realistic forest of Arden. Arden is meant to represent a rejuvenation of the “golden world” and a move away from the corruption of the court (As You Like It, 1.II. 113). The sense of communal interaction and generosity within Arden by Duke Senior and the shepherds introduced emphasizes the idea of a return to a golden age. However, Arden’s idyllic image is subject to subversion and change. The hunting that Duke Senior and his men participate in to survive in the forest cause subversion, along with his discussion of “venison” as “native burghers of this desert city” (2.I. 21-22). Likewise, characters, such as Duke Senior, Orlando, and Jaques, each present alternative descriptions of Arden. These images of the forest are representative of the characters’ psychological and, sometimes, physical state and are inclined to alteration as the characters develop. Yet, Arden remains, …show more content…

In Arden, Rosalind is able to develop an authentic connection with Orlando. Rosalind is presented the opportunity, through her disguise in Arden to “play the knave with [Orlando]” (3.2. 288). This enables Rosalind to ensure Orlando’s love is true and to deconstruct his idealized image of her. Because Rosalind’s ability to test and deconstruct Orlando’s image of herself, she is able to conclude: “I know you are a gentleman of good conceit” (5.2. 51-52). Although it is not ideal for Orlando, since it brings him to the point where he “can live no longer by thinking,” Rosalind is provided with the resources and structure in Arden to ensure Orlando’s love is real and realistic (5.2. 48). Rosalind, because of the “mutable atmosphere” of Arden, is able to advocate for a naturalistic courtship within her artificial mask (Young,

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