"Cliff Notes - As You Like It" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)

Readers' opinions about Orlando tend to fall into two camps. Some
view him as the embodiment of all the virtues a Renaissance
gentleman should possess. Others consider him dull and even stupid.

Even his brother Oliver, who hates him, admits that Orlando is well
thought of in the community. He's considered gentle and naturally
noble. Although he's physically strong (as his defeat of Charles the
wrestler proves), he will not harm his brother. He should respect
his older brother, and he does. Later, even after Oliver has plotted
to kill him, Orlando only hesitates a moment before risking his life
to save Oliver's. When Orlando and his faithful old servant Adam are
starving, Orlando will not eat a bite until he has seen to the old
man's needs. Such courtesy must be a product of his nature, because
he's been denied a gentleman's education.

So, Orlando is strong, gentle, and noble. Is he witty and
intelligent, too? He does outsmart Jaques in a contest of words. But
nobody would read his love poems and find much to praise in them. As
a lover, he tends to be a bit sappy. Without Rosalind's help, he
could be another Silvius. Does that make him a fool? Rosalind must
see hope for him. Under her guidance, he does improve.

Do you see Orlando's weaknesses as indications that he's noble but
not very intelligent? Or do you regard them as the kinds of
imperfections that make him more human?


AS YOU LIKE IT: CELIA

In Act I, Celia has just as much to do and say as Rosalind. She
fades into the background, however, as the play goes on. Although
she remains undeveloped, many readers find her a charming character.
She and Rosalind share a deep, loving friendship, and her importance
is a function of that relationship.

First, she serves as a confidant, a person with whom Rosalind can
talk openly about her feelings. While Rosalind hides her true
emotions in her scenes with Orlando, she is absolutely honest with
Celia.

What raises Celia from dramatic device (someone serving merely to
help the play along) to a character who is interesting in her own
right is her wit. From their first appearance, Celia matches
Rosalind in her ease with words. Since Celia doesn't fall in love
until nearly the end of the play, she also retains her cool judgment.
Thus, when Rosalind expresses her own romantic feelings, Celia is
there to undercut them with pointed jests.