For Oliver and Duke Frederick, there is an almost impossible change for the better as Duke Frederick ‘is converted both from enterprise and from the world.’ Furthermore the previously non-existent bond of brotherly love is created between Orlando and Oliver which in turn leads to Oliver’s ‘conversion.’
In Rosalind’s case, the Forest provides a source of unimaginable freedom to express herself without the barriers of court conventions (though this may be the result of the disguise alone). It is the place where she can love Orlando without the strict rules and regulations that governed her previous residence.
Likewise Orlando is provided an escape from his brother’ oppression where he can leisurely convey his love for Rosalind.
On the contrary, the Forest can divert from the pastoral convention as you peer into its harsh realities and its ill-effects on its limited population. Duke senior’s opening speech was in reality an attempt to hearten his co-mates and brothers-in-exile. Although thinly veiled with heartening comments about the season’s ‘icy fang’ as a counselor and the ‘churlish chidings of the winter’s wind’ as a sweet use of adversity, it still remains that it is an icy fang and the winds do ‘bite and blow upon his body.’ Although, the Forest of Arden does display salutary qualities when it comes to the characters’ outlooks and personalities, it is still a source of discomfort and physical pain, a ‘barren’ desert.
Another characteristic that is associated with Arden is its sense of camaraderie and of an egalitarian society. Where Duke Senior’s court becomes a circle of brothers, where Oliver and Orlando become brothers once more, where Duke Frederick learns humility. But this is not completely so as we see an example of a cruelty and neglect in Corin’s master.
Moreover Celia, a lively character in the opening act of the play progressively loses her energy as she loses her friend (Rosalind) to forest follies.
The forest also comes across as primitive. This is proven by the venison of the forest. The ‘poor dappled fools’ are subject to cruelty of the most primitive kind in their own dwellings.
In conclusion, the Forest of Arden is in fact an ideal place for recuperation and introspection in the sense that many of the characters achieved transformations of sorts. However it is seen (with a few exceptions), that the characters of the play are unwilling to stay in the forest when presented with the alternative of the court. Therefore, the forest may be ideal, but is a short-lived idealness.
