In addition, Oliver is sarcastic and mocking towards others (as the court mocks and belittles the forest) and does not realise his brother’s worth- “Marry, Sir, be better employed”- as the court does not realise or appreciate the true worth of the forest. Furthermore, Oliver displays complete contempt towards others (particularly in his treatment of Adam), which can be seen to parallel the court dwellers contemptuous behaviour towards the forest folk.
Certainly, Oliver’s ‘naturally’ cruel nature also reinforces the view that his behaviour represents the court, as does the formal and false way in which he addresses Orlando- “Sir”- which reflects the formality and falseness of the court. Further on in the text, Oliver projects his own characteristics (and ultimately those of the court) onto Orlando when he issues a false description of his younger brother and his feelings towards him to Charles-
“Almost with tears I speak it….there is not one….so villainous”.
Finally, Oliver is portrayed as a treacherous liar during his soliloquy when he reveals that Orlando will not receive his share of their Father’s will, as he had previously promised him- “Give no thousand crowns either”.
Secondly, the contrast between the court and the forest is also represented by the contrast between Oliver and Orlando in the 1978 BBC adaptation of ‘As you like it’. For example, the play begins with Oliver sword fighting, hinting at his violent nature and indeed the violent nature of the court as portrayed in the text. Also, Oliver strikes Orlando across the face first prior to their physical fight, again portraying the violence of the court, which is later epitomised in the wrestling match. Even so, the text only states that Oliver, “Raises hand”, indicating that he may not have actually struck Orlando and that this scene is not true to the text. However, these stage directions were inserted by the editor Rex Gibson (due to the fact that there were no original stage directions to indicate which brother began the violence). Therefore, this scene can be interpreted in a variety of ways and, if Oliver’s violent outburst began the physical fight between himself and his brother, it would portray him as being representative of the court, as described in the text to a greater extent. Also, if Oliver did initiate the physical violence, it would be in keeping with his cruel and violent behaviour in the rest of the play, and ultimately that of the court.
In addition, Oliver can also be seen to be representative of the court when he cruelly knocks Adam’s walking stick away from him in the BBC interpretation, showing the maliciousness of the court. Even so the text provides no indication that this incident is intended to occur but I believe that it further enhances the audiences negative perception of Oliver and, indeed, the court. Also, Oliver’s elaborate dress reflects the elaborateness and unnaturalness of the court- “Painted pomp” (Act two, scene one)- as opposed to the simplistic and natural forest. However, Oliver’s representation of the court could be further emphasised were his conversation with Charles (which reveals the full extent of his evil and treacherous nature) not cut and edited. Even so, Oliver positions himself so that he is standing above Charles, possibly as an attempt to convey his superiority and power, as the court also does over the forest.
It can also be said that the contrast between the court and the forest can be represented by the brothers Duke Frederick and Duke Senior-Duke Frederick, in many ways, represents the court, whilst Senior represents the forest. Firstly, the inhabitants of the forest live as a community and aid one another, as Duke Senior is aided by his loyal Lords who went into voluntary exile with him- “Loving Lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him”. Also, Duke Senior attracts others of a naturally benevolent nature (“Many young gentlemen flock to him”), as the forest attracts inhabitants who are natural and good like itself. Senior has also lost his rightful place as Duke and been replaced by his younger brother, as the ancient forest has been replaced by the newer, crueller court.
In contrast, Frederick only allows others to take certain actions if they in some way benefit himself- he only allows his brother’s followers leave in order to gain their estates and revenue-
“Lands and revenues enrich the new Duke; therefore he gives them good leave to wander”. Also, it can be seen that the ongoing quarrel between the two pairs of brothers is representative of the ongoing conflict between the natural goodness of the forest and the unnatural cruelness of the court.
It must also be noted that film as a genre allows the director and camera to choose whom the audience views, by means of zooming in or focusing on a particular person. This gives a huge scope for further highlighting the parallels between Oliver and the court, an example of which occurs during Oliver’s soliloquy, during which the camera focuses solely on Oliver. Oliver’s subsequent reluctance to gaze directly at the camera during this hints at his shifty and unnatural nature, as the court is also unnatural and untrustworthy.
In complete contrast, Orlando can be seen to represent the natural forest in his simple unadorned clothing, which reflects the simplicity and natural state of the forest, which has been little altered by humans. Orlando’s somewhat effeminate appearance also reflects the kind and caring attributes of the forest, which are often associated with female characteristics. Also, Orlando places his hand on Oliver’s throat, which is true to the text and shows that Orlando represents the forest (assuming that he only takes this action to restrain Oliver during a violent outburst). This action can also be seen as Orlando displaying his natural and understandably angry emotions.
It is my belief that Orlando and Oliver also represent the contrast between the court and the forest in the 1997 edition of ‘As you like it’, which was directed by Christine Edzard. Firstly, Orlando has a wild unkempt appearance, thus reflecting the fact that he was brought up “rustically”and reflecting the rustic state of the forest as described in the text. However, Edzard portrays the forest as a barren, desolate urban wasteland, which could be seen to reflect Orlando’s emotions and inner turmoil but in no way follows the conventions of the pastoral tradition, apparent throughout much of the text. Moreover, Orlando adopts a casual, relaxed stance when he leans languidly on a pillar, personifying the natural, relaxed state of the forest.
In contrast, as in the BBC adaptation, Oliver initially attempts to strike Orlando, showing his cruel nature and subsequently reflecting that of the court. Also, Oliver is smart, upright and bespeckled, thus creating a formal and serious appearance, which is reflected in the nature of the court. However, Oliver does sit in a more relaxed pose with Charles, showing that he is uncomfortable around Orlando as the court is uncomfortable with the forest.
Furthermore, Oliver also has smooth, slicked back hair, which, in my opinion reflects the falseness of the court, which could be seen to be portrayed well in this interpretation as it is set in the foyer of a modern corporate building, thus portraying it’s (and Oliver’s) prosperity in comparison to the forest. However, this is not entirely true to the text and difficult to deal with, as the first scene between Orlando and Oliver is described as being set in the orchard of their home in the stage directions of the text – “An orchard near Oliver’s home”.
However, in this particular interpretation of the text doubling is used for the characters of Oliver and Orlando, which I believe poses problems at certain points of the play, such as in act one, scene one when the camera alternates between the two brothers during the scene when they should supposedly stage a physical fight. Orlando cannot “Take this hand from thy throat”, as suggested by the text, if it is not seen to be there in the first place. Admittedly, it is possible to portray this scene in the genre of film to some degree of accuracy (although Edzard does not do this) but it would be impossible to re create to full effect in a play.
Another interpretation of the play in which I believe the contrast between the court and the forest, as described in the text, can be seen to be represented by Oliver and Orlando is the 2003 Royal Shakespeare Company play. In the aforementioned play Oliver is dressed in rich bright colours (thus creating a sense of prosperity which is predominant at court) and initially appears controlled yet forceful, reflecting the manner in which one is expected to behave at court. Oliver also appears rather rotund and physically unfit, which may contribute towards his poor fighting skills, as referred to by Orlando in line 43 of act one, scene one- “You are too young in this”.
Also, Oliver originally strikes Orlando thus betraying his aggressive nature, which is also typical of the court. However, it may be difficult to draw parallels between the court and Oliver in terms of the orchard where the first scene is set. The orchard is in no way unnatural and the sounds of birdsong can be heard in the background as Oliver and Orlando converse, which is in no way typical of the image of the court as cruel and unnatural. Even so Shakespeare’s stage directions do state that this scene is set in the orchard and consequently this interpretation cannot be viewed as being untrue to the text. However, the court scene is set during cold weather in a snow storm, which reflects Oliver’s and the courts cruel nature.
In contrast to Oliver, Orlando wears darker, shabbier clothing, thus reflecting the shabbier, simpler state of the forest, which is true to the text. Also, Orlando’s emotional and subservient state is reflected as he chops wood and weeps in the orchard of the court. This action is also true to the text as it reflects the unjust manner in which Oliver treats his sibling- “this servitude”. It can also be said that, like Orlando’s emotions, the forest is natural and held in lower esteem than the court. This interpretation also begins with the same speech as in the text (“As I remember, Adam….”) and does not cut any of the dialogue out, thus showing to a greater extent how Orlando can be seen to be similar to the forest.
Of course, it can also be said that the contrast between the court and the forest can be represented by the two pairs of brothers in other key points of the play. In act two, scene one Senior can be seen to represent the forest as the forest is described as being, “More free from peril than the envious court” and allows people to live freely without social restraints, as Senior does and as he lives himself. If Amiens song about the forest is to be believed (“No enemy but winter and rough weather”, act two, scene five), then Senior again represents the forest as he and his followers have no enemy within the forest bar the weather.
In addition, Senior experiences natural problems in the forest, such as intemperate weather conditions, as the forest is not perfect (much like himself) but its flaws are entirely natural. In the Christine Edzard interpretation of the play this particular scene is depicted as being windy (which is true to the text- “The churlish chiding of the winters wind”) but Arden is located in an urban wasteland. Therefore, the lessons that the forest teaches one, “Brooks in the running brooks”, cannot be properly depicted as there are no rivers. However, in the BBC adaptation the camera focuses on a stream whilst this line is being spoken and in doing so effectively emphasises the natural state of the forest.
Also, in the RSC , Christine Edzard and BBC adaptations of the text, Senior wears simple clothing to reflect his exiled state and the simplicity of Arden. In the BBC adaptation, the forest also appears to be tranquil and natural, as is Senior. In short, Senior represents nature, whilst his younger sibling Frederick represents fortune. Fredericks evil nature is also shown by his intent to put his brother “to the sword”.
Frederick’s evil nature is also depicted in the BBC interpretation of the text in the wrestling match- the wrestling is drawn out, focuses on Orlando and Charles and the audiences shocked reaction to events, showing the barbarity of the court. However, in the Edzard interpretation of the text the actual wrestling match is not shown, merely the audiences reaction which does not fully capture the brutality of the court (and indeed Senior). Even so, the text only states “They wrestle” which is open to interpretation.
However, it is apparent that the character of Frederick has a “Rough and envious disposition” (act one, scene two) as he banishes Rosalind from court due to the fact that he believes his daughter Celia to be in direct competition with her. Fredericks expulsion of Rosalind from court also shows that he is “Humorous”, as is the court. Even so, the forest does exert a beneficial influence on Frederick and converts him, showing how evil can be converted to good- “Converted both from his enterprises and from the world”. Similarly, the contrast between the court and the forest can also be represented by Olivers conversion from bad to good, from experiencing unnatural feelings to natural feelings upon his entry to Arden-
“My conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am”. Arden is also presented as a magical, good, mythical place in the RSC production, in which actors play trees and sheep, thus conforming to the pastoral tradition and consequently making the forest appear to be a good place.
Similarly, Orlando represents the forest as it is governed by natural elements, particularly in Christine Edzards version of the text where Arden appears to be cold and windy (and smoke is billowing from a fire) and Orlando is also governed by his natural emotions and feelings. However, the court and the country are barely distinguishable in this as both are set in urban areas, thus making this a challenging interpretation at best.
Also, in contrast to Amiens song about false friendship and ingratitude- “Thou art not so unkind as mans ingratitude”- Orlando only ever displays gratitude towards the Duke and true friendship towards the elderly Adam. This inherent good nature and display of genuine affection is comparable to the good nature of the forest.
Finally, the conversation between Touchstone and Corin regarding court life versus country life in act three, scene three describes how the court dwellers mock the country dwellers, as Oliver mocks Orlando- “Behaviour of the country is mockable at court”. In short, the contrast between the court and the forest can be represented by the two pairs of brothers in both act one, scene one and the play as a whole.
