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As You Like It Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

As You Like It study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

As You Like It is a play with two main plots: there is the conflict between Orlando and his older brother Oliver, and there is the usurpation of the ducal throne by Duke Frederick from his brother Duke Senior. The play opens with Orlando complaining to a servant named Adam about the way Oliver treats him. Oliver, as the eldest brother, has inherited the entire estate from their father, Sir Rowland De Bois. As such, he is in charge of raising his two younger brothers.

This plot is complemented by the fact that Duke Frederick, a younger brother to Duke Senior, has usurped his brother's position. Duke Senior has been banished from the duchy and now lives in the Forest of Ardenne with several other nobles, living off the land and killing the…

Read the full As You Like It Summary

• As You Like It Summary
• About As You Like It
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on As You Like It
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• As You Like It: Essays
• As You Like It: E-Text
• As You Like It: Questions
• As You Like It: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography