Product Description

Shakespeare’s As You Like It can appear bright or sombre in performance: a feast of language and a delight for comic actors; or a risk-taking exploration of gender roles. This edition offers an account of what makes the play both innocent and dangerous, mapping the complexities of its setting (a no-man’s-land related to both France and England) and giving an ample commentary on its language and an analytical account of performance.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #191410 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 234 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
As You Like It has long been admired as one of Shakespeare's most exuberant early comedies, complete with one of the Bard's funniest and toughest heroines, Rosalind. Based on Thomas Lodge's Elizabethan novel Rosalynde, As You Like It follows the discontented Orlando as he is exiled from the tyrannical French court of Duke Frederick. By chance Frederick also banishes Rosalind, daughter of the usurped Duke Senior. The play then moves to the Forest of Arden, where chaos and misrule ensue, as Rosalind cross dresses "all points like a man", disguised as the saucy Ganymede and encourages the naive Orlando to "woo me, woo me, for now I am in a holiday humour". Meanwhile her clown Touchstone causes hilarity and havoc amongst the exiled lords and the pastoral inhabitants of the forest. The play concludes with Rosalind's extraordinary "unmasking" Epilogue addressed to the audience, where she offers to "kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me".

As You Like It remains one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, yet it is also appreciated by critics for its complex exploration of cross dressing and sexual politics, and its interest in relations between the country and the city. --Jerry Brotton

Review
"Of particular interest is Hattaway's thorough discussion of stage history, complete with critically rich, detailed accouns of recent productions (film versions arecovered, too). His thinking as a critic and editor is clear, insightful and consistent, and his edition offers useful, well-documented textual notes and three appendices ... [Hattaway] has produced a solid critical edition that will serve the classroom as well as the stage." American Theatre

Customer Reviews

The Many Appealing Facets of Shakespeare's Talent!
As You Like It has many qualities to attract readers and audiences. Rosalind is one of the great heroines of all romantic literature. The play has more outstanding speeches than almost any other that has ever been written. Astonishing plot complications are quickly resolved in the simplest possible way, reflecting a playwright's tour de force. The Forest of Arden appears as a character in creating a magical atmosphere whereby all perceptions change, and all are healed. Right wins out, especially in drawing on good character . . . even from formerly badly behaving people. And for those who love marriages, this book has one of the most impressive ceremonies of all time in literature. Humans have never looked nobler in the end than in this play. Yet the play also abounds with some of the greatest lines of Shakespeare's fools that cause all of us to see that humility is more called for than pride or ambition. Certainly, As You Like It will make you feel the presence of an unmatched genius, that should inspire even the most arrogant to feel humbled in the Bard's presence.

My recommendation is that you first see a performance (whether in person, or on a recording). If that's not possible, try for an audio. Many outstanding actors have been taped. After you have the sights and sounds of the play firmly in mind, then read the play. You'll find that your earlier experiences will unlock more of the play's depths, imagery and pleasures for you.

Where in life is being true to your word very important? How can you improve your life by being more reliable in this way?

very useful if you are putting on a production
i'm not going to review the actual play as this was done very well by another reviewer, however when wishing to purchase this play you may realise their are loads of different editions to choose from, and you may be wondering 'is this edition right for you?'

This really breaks down the text by having the play on every right-hand page and on the left has a short description of what is happening on the page opposite as well as a glossary of some of the page's most challenging words and phrases, just like in the heinemann shakespeare. This is what attracted me to this edition, however i found myself just slightly disappointed.

As well as the description and glossary on the left-hand page there are various exercises for you to do either alone or in groups that will help drama students to understand the text and the context in which it should be played. These exercises looked very helpful to those studying drama, even including photos from past productions. However as i was doing this play for english i would have liked a little more indepth insight to the actual text.

At the end, after the play there are analysis of the characters and setting as well as some on the context of the play which ive just started reading and have found very helpful, as well as more information on staging 'as you like it'. This is all great, i would just have liked a little more specific insight during the reading of the play.

in short, this edition is ideal for anyone practicing drama, and while it is more than adequate an edition for anyone who needs a little help while reading the text, it lacks a little for those wishing for a more indepth insight.

enchanting.
i could not imagine a more foolish and silly afternoon in a forest. lol. i loved this so much it has everything anyone ever wanted of shakespear!
what a fantastic play i really want to see it but i fear it could never live up to my reading of it. i wish it were translated into modern language for all the people who have trouble understanding it.

well i loved it anyway. should be read under the trees on a sunny afternoon.