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Ayush Pandey
Dr. Asmat Jahan
Drama I - Sixteenth to Eighteenth Century English Drama
1 November 2024

The Fundamental Plot Conflict: Nature Combatting Against Fortune in the play
‘As you like it’ by William Shakespeare

As You Like It, one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies, embraces

and reimagines the pastoral tradition—a literary mode that idealizes rural life as a

refuge from the complexities of urban or courtly existence. In the play, Shakespeare

creates a world in which the idyllic Forest of Arden serves as a sanctuary from the

harsh, politically fraught life of the court, allowing his characters to rediscover

themselves amid nature’s simplicity. As characters escape into this pastoral setting,

they confront a central conflict that shapes their journeys: the contrast between nature

and fortune. "Nature" in Arden represents a realm of authenticity, equality, and

personal growth, free from the rigid constraints of social hierarchy.

Meanwhile, "fortune," embodied by the capriciousness and ambition of the court,

reflects the arbitrary influence of wealth, power, and status over individuals’ lives.

The tension between nature and fortune is introduced early in As You Like It, when

fortune, or rather the randomness of circumstance, subjects Duke Senior to exile by

his brother, Duke Frederick. This plotline establishes the play’s initial premise: a man

stripped of his birthright by his sibling’s ambition.

Here, fortune manifests as the unpredictability of human relationships, where familial

bonds are subverted by the capriciousness of power and greed. However, the
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expulsion to the Forest of Arden signifies a departure from the influence of fortune

into a realm governed by nature.

Similarly, Orlando suffers the effects of fortune through his elder brother Oliver, who

withholds his rightful inheritance and education. Orlando’s struggle embodies the

harsh realities of inheritance and birthright in Elizabethan society, where younger

sons were often denied the same opportunities as their elder siblings. Orlando’s

mistreatment by Oliver illustrates fortune’s randomness, where one’s fate is

determined more by circumstance than personal merit.

Through this interplay between nature and fortune, Shakespeare not only explores the

virtues and shortcomings of both realms but also probes deeper themes of identity,

love, and self-discovery, suggesting that the path to true happiness lies in harmonizing

societal obligations with the innate qualities of one’s character.

The main source from which this play has been taken from is Rosalynde (1590)

written by Thomas Lodge which contains all the pastoral events in its plot .The main

focus of these pastorals was the life of ordinary villagers and particularly

shepherds .the main themes were romance and love along with verses sung for the

lover .Lodge’s Rosalynde was inspired by a work written earlier,’The tale of

Gamelyn’ of which the author is yet unknown.In this tale,Gamelyn has been denied

her inheritence by her villanous older brother,Johan, and she also goes to the forest

with her servant Adam for her safety.

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In Act 2 scene 1 of the play,Duke Senior introduces this theme of courtly life vs life in

the country during his exile.He speaks to his ‘Brothers in Exile’ about the life in court

which was full of pomp and show of manners and the safety of country life.He claims

the icy bite of winter's wind to be more pleasant than flattery and adversity to be

useful.

"Sweet are the uses of adversity, / Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, / Wears

yet a precious jewel in his head: / And this our life, exempt from public haunt, / Finds

tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, / Sermons in stones, and good in

everything."

(Shakespeare 2.1.12-17)

Duke Senior suggests that nature, though challenging, is a teacher of life’s deeper

values. The forest offers insights and peace that the court, with its artificial values and

power struggles, cannot provide.

"Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile, Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of

painted pomp?" (Shakespeare 2.1.1-3).

In this line, Duke Senior contrasts life in the forest with the "painted pomp" of court

life, seeing exile as an opportunity to embrace a simpler, more fulfilling existence in

nature

The court represents a world governed by fortune: power and privilege are distributed

unevenly, with characters like Duke Frederick seizing control through force, while

others, such as Duke Senior, are at the mercy of this fortune, exiled despite their noble

birth. This arbitrary nature of fortune reflects the instability of human-made systems

and the vulnerability of individuals within them. Fortune in the court is capricious,

rewarding and punishing with little regard for personal merit.

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In stark contrast, the Forest of Arden, representing nature, is a place where characters

are free from societal constraints. The forest does not distinguish between individuals

based on rank or fortune; it allows them to explore their true selves and form

relationships based on mutual respect and personal compatibility.

Duke Frederick’s Arbitrary Exercise of Power in the Court,his capricious rule is

evident when he banishes Rosalind without reason, showing how "fortune" rules by

arbitrary force in the court:

"Thou art thy father’s daughter; there’s enough."

(Shakespeare 1.2.240)

His decision to exile Rosalind based purely on her lineage, without any fault of her

own, reflects the court’s reliance on fortune, where status and power often ignore

merit or virtue.

Many Characters of the play are transformed by the healing powers of Nature which

strips them off the artificiality and vanity of the court from their hearts.

Rosalind and Orlando, two central characters, each face fortune’s cruelty in the court:

Rosalind is exiled by her uncle, and Orlando is denied his inheritance by his elder

brother, Oliver. Yet, in the forest, both characters find opportunities to redefine

themselves away from the expectations and pressures of fortune. Rosalind adopts the

guise of Ganymede, giving her freedom to express herself without the limitations of

gender norms or societal roles. She also gets the freedom to test Orlando freely and
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check whether his love is real or not ,as this transformation allows her to explore her

relationship with Orlando more authentically, unencumbered by the fortune-imposed

barriers of her status.

Rosalind’s Transformation in Nature: Disguised as Ganymede, Rosalind sheds the

constraints of her fortune-imposed role at court, exploring her identity and emotions

more freely:

"Were it not better, / Because that I am more than common tall, / That I did suit me all points like a

man? / A gallant curtal-axe upon my thigh, / A boar-spear in my hand; and—in my heart / Lie there

what hidden woman's fear there will— / We'll have a swashing and a martial outside."

(Shakespeare 1.3.118-120)

Thus,Rosalind’s transformation into Ganymede shows how nature allows her to

experiment with her identity and engage with Orlando on equal terms, a freedom she

could not experience in the restrictive environment of the court

"Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of Nature." (Shakespeare 1.2.40-41).

Here, Rosalind distinguishes between fortune’s external influence and the intrinsic

qualities of nature, underscoring how fortune governs material wealth but not one’s

inherent character.

This distinction underscores a key theme in As You Like It: the separation between

superficial, externally imposed identities and authentic personal traits.

Rosalind’s words reflect Shakespeare’s broader exploration of the ways in which

nature can serve as a counterbalance to fortune. Characters who are mistreated or

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marginalized due to fortune, like Duke Senior and Orlando, find themselves stripped

of their social privileges by random circumstances. However, the natural setting of the

Forest of Arden allows them to reconnect with their innate virtues and strengths, away

from the constraints and corruptions of fortune. In Arden, titles, wealth, and

inheritance become irrelevant, and the characters’ "lineaments of Nature"—their

intrinsic characteristics—are what define them.

By distinguishing between fortune’s "gifts of the world" and nature’s unchangeable

"lineaments," Rosalind suggests that while fortune’s influence is transient, nature’s

impact on a person’s character is fundamental and lasting. The characters’ growth in

the forest further reinforces this idea, as they shed the pretensions imposed by fortune

to embrace their authentic selves.

Orlando, similarly, transitions from a mistreated younger brother to a self-sufficient

man in the forest. His physical strength, wit, and courage—qualities valued in the

natural world—are essential to his survival in Arden. The forest gives him a chance to

prove his worth on his own terms, disconnected from the fortune-driven family

conflict that oppressed him in the court. In nature, Orlando’s value is rooted in his

character rather than his fortune, showing how nature fosters intrinsic qualities over

inherited wealth or status.

Orlando enters the forest without his inheritance and position, relying on his strength

and resilience. Nature encourages him to prove his worth based on character, not

rank:

He speaks these lines when his old servant,Adam falls down due to hunger,Orlando

instead of behaving like a typical courtly nobleman and leaving him like a servant,He
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instead acts naturally and most humanly and shows how his original compassionate

nature had been subdued at the court,which is evidently seen here

"If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, / I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee."

(Shakespeare 4.3.69-70)

In the forest, Orlando’s physical courage and love for Rosalind gains him more

respect than his social standing at court, underscoring how nature rewards merit over

inheritance.

Through the natural setting, Shakespeare emphasizes values that contrast sharply with

those upheld by fortune. The forest encourages sincerity and authentic connections, as

seen in the relationship between Celia and Rosalind. Unlike the manipulative, self-

serving bonds of the court, their friendship exemplifies the honesty and loyalty that

flourish in nature. Nature acts as a leveling ground where status and power are

secondary to genuine affection and mutual respect.

Fortune, however, often rewards superficiality and ambition. Duke Frederick’s court

is filled with flatterers who support his rule for their own gain, while loyalty, as

shown by Duke Senior's followers, is scarce and often punished. The values of the

court are transactional, with social interactions shaped by ambition and the desire for

material gain. Shakespeare’s portrayal of fortune suggests its moral ambiguity: it

rewards and punishes in equal measure, often without regard to the characters' merits

or intentions. By contrast, the natural world in the Forest of Arden, though not

without its challenges, offers a more egalitarian environment where character, rather

than birth or fortune, becomes the true measure of worth

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Duke Senior on the Sincerity of Life in the Forest: Duke Senior highlights the loyalty

of those who willingly join him in the forest, contrasting it with the court’s insincere

flatterers:

"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? / And yet it irks me, the poor dappled fools, / Being native

burghers of this desert city, / Should in their own confines with forked heads / Have their round

haunches gored."(Shakespeare 2.1.21-25)

This line underscores his empathy and connection with nature, contrasting the court’s

more exploitative relationships. Duke Senior values the harmony and sincerity that

nature promotes over the self-serving nature of fortune.

"Ay, now am I in Arden; the more fool I. When I was at home, I was in a better place; but travellers

must be content." (Shakespeare 2.4.15-17).

In this line, Touchstone, the court jester, expresses a somewhat cynical view of life in

the Forest of Arden compared to his former life in the court. His words "Ay, now am I

in Arden; the more fool I. When I was at home, I was in a better place; but travellers

must be content" convey his ambivalence toward the forest, reflecting Shakespeare’s

nuanced treatment of the nature vs. fortune theme.

Touchstone’s remark reveals his skepticism about the romanticized idea of nature as a

peaceful, idyllic escape from the hardships imposed by fortune. Unlike characters

such as Duke Senior, who find solace and even joy in nature, Touchstone points out

that life in the forest is challenging and uncomfortable, suggesting that the court’s
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material comforts and conveniences—provided by fortune—are indeed preferable.

His words "the more fool I" imply that he feels foolish for romanticizing Arden,

acknowledging that he was in a "better place" at court, where physical needs were

more easily met. Touchstone’s perspective offers a contrast to the pastoral ideal by

presenting nature as a place of physical discomfort rather than moral or spiritual

freedom.

However, the line also suggests a grudging acceptance of circumstance: "but

travellers must be content." This phrase reflects Touchstone’s pragmatism, an

acknowledgment that while life in the forest is less comfortable, it is also a necessary

adaptation given the changes fortune has imposed upon him and his companions. In

this sense, Touchstone's resignation to make peace with his new reality illustrates the

resilience many characters demonstrate in adapting to nature's challenges when

fortune removes them from their comfort zones.

Through Touchstone’s lines, Shakespeare highlights the limitations of nature as an

escape from fortune. While the forest offers an alternative to the social hierarchies and

injustices of court life, it is not a complete sanctuary, reminding audiences that

fortune’s influence extends even into nature. Thus, Touchstone’s viewpoint serves as

a counterbalance, acknowledging that while nature can provide emotional refuge, it

cannot entirely alleviate the material discomforts that fortune has taken away.

Jacques’s Reflection on the Foolishness of Fortune’s Pursuits: The melancholic

Jacques criticizes the superficial pursuits and fickle nature of fortune in society,

especially with his famous "All the world’s a stage" speech:

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"All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players: / They have their exits and their

entrances; / And one man in his time plays many parts."

(Shakespeare 2.7.139-142).

Jacques observes that human lives are bound by fortune’s stages, often trivial and

fleeting. This perspective reflects his cynicism toward fortune’s artificial values and

his longing for the authenticity that nature provides.

The romantic relationships in As You Like It further illustrate the difference between

nature and fortune. At the court, love is often dictated by wealth and status.

Marriages, particularly in Elizabethan society, were frequently arrangements made for

social and economic reasons, shaped by the whims of fortune rather than mutual

affection. In the forest, however, love is depicted as a natural and spontaneous force,

free from the influence of social rank or economic considerations. The relationship

between Rosalind and Orlando is a prime example; they fall in love despite the social

barriers imposed by the court.

Through Rosalind’s disguise as Ganymede, she explores Orlando’s feelings in a

setting untainted by fortune’s influence. The forest allows them to test their love

outside the pressures and expectations of courtship in a structured, fortune-driven

society.

"Come, woo me, woo me; for now I am in a holiday humour, and like enough to consent."

(Shakespeare 4.1.103-104)
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Here, Rosalind uses her disguise to foster a natural, playful connection with Orlando.

This freedom to interact without the pressures of fortune-driven marriage aligns with

the forest’s emphasis on authenticity over status.

Phoebe’s Realization of Genuine Love: Phoebe, who initially scorns Silvius,

eventually comes to recognize the sincerity of his love. This realization occurs in

nature, where social expectations are less rigid:

"Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might: / 'Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?'"

(Shakespeare 3.5.82-83)

Phoebe’s change of heart reflects the forest’s influence, helping her value Silvius’s

genuine affection rather than superficial attraction—a revelation she might not have

reached in the fortune-governed court.

Similarly, Touchstone’s comic courtship of Audrey and Silvius’s courtship of Phoebe

underscore the play’s theme that love, like nature, is often messy and irrational. By

presenting love in its various forms within the forest, Shakespeare shows that genuine

love is a natural impulse rather than a product of fortune’s design.

The conclusion of As You Like It brings a harmonization of nature and fortune,

illustrating Shakespeare’s vision of a balanced world. The exiled Duke Senior is

restored to his rightful position, and marriages unite characters of different social

standings. The court is transformed by the values of the forest, suggesting that even

fortune can be guided by nature’s principles when individuals recognize the

importance of authenticity, mutual respect, and merit.

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The play ultimately suggests that while fortune may shape the circumstances of one’s

life, nature provides a refuge where individuals can reclaim their true selves. By

contrasting the artifice of fortune with the authenticity of nature, Shakespeare not only

critiques the inequities of society but also celebrates the transformative power of

natural harmony, love, and integrity. This reconciliation between nature and fortune

allows for a renewal of the social order, grounded not in arbitrary power but in values

reflective of the natural world.

At the play’s end, Duke Senior’s return to power symbolizes a harmonization of

fortune with the values of nature:

"Welcome, young man; / Thou offer'st fairly to thy brothers' wedding: / To one, his lands withheld; and

to the other / A land itself at large, a potent dukedom."

(Shakespeare 4.3.80-83)

This line captures the restoration of harmony between fortune and nature, as Duke

Senior’s rule is reinstated with newfound values of integrity and mutual respect he

learned in the forest.

Thus I conclude my paper stating that In As You Like It, William Shakespeare

skillfully combines the themes of nature and fortune to show how they interact in the

characters’ lives. The contrast between the corrupt court and the freeing Forest of

Arden serves as a setting for exploring the challenges caused by fortune and the

healing power of nature. Characters like Duke Senior, Rosalind, and Orlando find

safety in the forest, where they can discover who they are and what they truly want.
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This shows how nature can help fight against the random ups and downs of life

brought on by fortune.

Through their journeys, Shakespeare highlights the strength of the human spirit,

suggesting that even when fortune throws obstacles in our way, nature can provide a

place for personal growth, healing, and finding oneself. In the end, As You Like It

celebrates the idea that by connecting with nature, people can take control of their

lives and create a meaningful existence that goes beyond the limits set by fortune.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. As You Like It. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger

Shakespeare Library, Simon & Schuster, 2009.