Self-expression and Love before Time
Being one of the most famous playwrights in the world history, Shakespeare also managed to gain the status of the author of the most intriguing, symbolical and philosophical plots in this plays. Although many critics would agree that Hamlet is of complexity of themes development and symbolism of objects and actions; they often consider his comedies to be simple in their narration. The comedy "As You Like It" is often one of the most underestimated plays. The aim of this essay is to show that the main feature of the comedy is complexity of the hidden meaning and depth of philosophical considerations beyond Shakespeare's time. This statement is based on the analysis of two aspects - interpretation of love and female self-expression or, as it is called in this century, emancipation.
First of all, the first impression after reading the play is that Shakespeare is mocking with the very idea of human feelings and their ability to commit themselves to love and marriage. Although it may seem that love is felt in all aspects of the play, and its happy ending is a proof of love's supremacy over discord and family feuds; Shakespeare makes also another emphasis. Love or what people consider being love is rather surreal than real phenomenon of human reality. The best proof of this statement is that although Orlando was committed to his love for Rosalind and Phoebe was eager to be with Ganymede; they were eager to give promises about their future marriage even without knowing the secret behind promises (Shakespeare 29). Although, for the first glance, this example might show general trust or foolishness of the main characters; from the interpretative perspective, Shakespeare mocks on the eagerness of people to give promises and commitments concerning marriage as if they were promising to come in the due time for a meeting.
In the context of love and feelings, Shakespeare also showed that women from Pastoral poems were unlikely to gain true love, because they were acting against inner self. Although it may seem weird that in 16th century play one might see contemporary female emancipation elements, but this play describes a fully self-confident woman, who, unlike Ophelia or Desdemona, decides her destiny on her own. Although Rosalind had to wear male clothes in order to succeed, she had an opportunity to express her will wearing a dress - she was the one challenging her beloved one and until certain extent she was making him the man she wanted to marry. Rosalind was the modern woman because she was also the holder of the main knowledge in the play. From all mentioned it can be concluded that the main feature of this play is that Shakespeare managed to put deep philosophical meaning behind simplicity of comedy and ridicule of situations.
Work Cited
Shakespeare William. As You Like It. London, LD: Thompson Learning. 2004. Print.
