Book Club - Shakespeare Read-Along
As You Like It
Act 1, Scene 1
We meet Orlando, frustrated with his lot in life and the lack of education his eldest brother, Oliver, is providing him. A nobleman deserves a purpose. They fight about being their father's son and Oliver calls him a villain.
"He is thrice the villain that says such a father begot villains."
Orlando asks for his inheritance so he can go make his own fortune, to which Oliver agrees.
Once Orlando leaves, Charles arrives, the Duke's wrestler. He tells Oliver that Orlando plans to challenge him in a fight. Since it's for his reputation, Charles will not go easy, and asks him to dissuade Orlando. But Oliver instead tells him that Orlando has been plotting against him, and will surely kill him if he's not seriously injured. Charles agrees to hurt him as much as possible.
We've learned that Oliver seriously hates his brother.
Act 1, Scene 2
Celia is begging her cousin Rosalind to be merry, but she is sad about her banished father. Celia promises that, as heir, she will always keep her in affection, so Rosalind talks about playing sport.
"What think you of falling in love?"
But Celia would rather mock the good housewife Fortune.
"For those she makes fair she scarce makes honest, and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly."
Then they disagree about Fortune versus Nature, and Touchstone the jester arrives to advise Celia to come away to her father. He also talks about pancakes.
Then Le Beau enters with the news of the fight, and if they stay where they are they can watch. Duke Frederick enters (Celia's father) and asks the ladies to speak with Orlando to dissuade him. Celia begs Orlando to cancel but he says he has nothing to lose. He asks instead for their blessing, which Rosalind gives.
"The little strength that I have, I would it were with you."
Orlando beats Charles, but the Duke is not happy. He never liked his father, and he departs without bestowing prizes. Orlando speaks with the women again, and Rosalind tells him her father loved his. She gives him a chain and they depart.
Le Beau advises Orlando to leave, but he asks about the women. He is struck by Rosalind.
Act 1, Scene 3
Rosalind is thinking about Orlando as well.
"Cupid have mercy!" says Celia.
Duke Frederick arrives and tells Rosalind to leave, and if she is caught within 20 miles of the court she will be killed. Celia asks that she stay, for the same reason Duke let her stay to begin with, but he is firm.
Celia tells Rosalind, "thou and I am one," and she will leave with her. They will go to Arden to find Rosalind's father, but they should go in disguise. Rosalind suggests being a man, and will be called Ganymede. Celia takes the name Aliena, and they decide to invite Touchstone as well.
"Now we go in content
To Liberty, and not to banishment."
**My plan is discuss Act 2 on Thursday. :-)
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