Comment on the title of the play As You Like It. 

Answer

Comment on the title of the play As You Like It. 

“As You Like It” means that things can be done according to one’s personal choice. The title “As You Like It” (1623) by Shakespeare (1564-1616) suggests that life is flexible. People can live in their own way. It suggests that life can be experienced in many ways. The characters in the play find different paths that suit them. The title shows that people have the power to live according to their desires.

Theme of Disguise and Identity: In the play, many characters hide their real identities. Rosalind, the main character, dresses up as a man named Ganymede. This disguise helps her understand Orlando and forest life. She teaches Orlando, her lover, how to love her. The title “As You Like It” shows that you can change who you are or how you act. As Rosalind says to Celia, 

“Call me Ganymede.” 

This quote highlights that she can be anyone she wants.

The Idea of Love and Choice: The play shows love as something people choose freely. Orlando loves Rosalind, and even when he thinks she’s Ganymede, he still loves her. This shows that love can happen in many ways. The characters have the freedom to love how they want.

The Forest of Arden as Freedom: The Forest of Arden is a place where people escape from the rules of society. It is where characters can act freely and be who they want to be. In the forest, people live “as they like.” The freedom they experience here shows that, just like the title, life can be shaped by personal choice. As the character Jaques says, 

“All the world’s a stage.” 

This suggests that we can play any part we choose.

In “As You Like It”, the title shows that we can live our lives in different ways. The characters in the play show that we have the freedom to make our own choices and be who we want to be.