As+You+Like+It+(play)

__**As You Like It (play)**__
//As You Like It// was a comedy written by William Shakespeare. It is unknown when exactly this play was written, but it was believed to be between 1598-1599. The plays first performance was at the Wilton House in 1603 and the play was later published in 1623. It has since been adapted for radio, film and musicals. This play features the famous “All the World’s a Stage” speech, which was given by the character Jaques.

Most of the play is set in the Forest of Arden. This forest may be a reference to the Ardennes, which is a forested region in Belgium, western Luxembourg and north eastern France. However, some people believe that the forest is a reference to Arden, a town near Shakespeare's hometown. Arden was the origin of his mother’s family, who were named Arden.

//As You Like It// is a romantic comedy, similar to many of Shakespeare’s works. The plot follows the story of many characters who have been exiled from their town. After being exiled, they retreat into the Forest of Arden. Two characters, Rosalind and Celia, change their identities; Rosalind becomes a man named Ganymede and Celia becomes a poor lady named Aliena. The two women meet up with the rest of the exiled. When the exiled meet up, many intertwining love triangles ensue, many of which include Rosalind and Celia’s false identities.

There are many conspiracy theories as to the inspiration of the play and its literary value. Many believe that Shakespeare drew inspiration from Thomas Lodge’s //Rosalynde, Euphues Golden Legacie,// which was first published in 1590. When discussing the literary value and depth of this play, many scholars complain that the work does not represent the full extent of Shakespeare’s talent. It is a common conspiracy that Shakespeare wrote the play to please an audience, with evidence being derived from the fact that the title is //As **YOU** Like It//.