Love grows on trees
If a nasty uncle banishes you from court, it’s wise to take your favorite cousin and a clown along for the ride. When Rosalind and her entourage seek refuge in the Forest of Arden, they encounter an unlikely lot of woodland denizens—including Orlando, the man Rosalind loves. Disguised as a boy, Rosalind teaches Orlando how to woo—her! Celebrating one of Shakespeare’s most glorious feminine creations, this joyful comedy is filled with identities at play and shrewd observations about human nature.
View a bibliography of playwright William Shakespeare.
Play Synopsis
Since their father's death, Orlando has been treated like a servant by his older brother, Oliver. Oliver incites Charles the wrestler to kill Orlando at the upcoming wrestling match at court.
At court, Orlando and Oliver's brotherly conflict is mirrored: Duke Frederick has usurped his brother, Duke Senior, and sent him into exile. Rosalind, the exiled duke's daughter, has been left at court as a companion for her cousin, Celia. Along with the court fool, Touchstone, they meet Orlando at the wrestling match. The girls try to talk him out of competing, but he persists and triumphs over Charles. Despite Orlando's success, Duke Frederick refuses to reward Orlando because his father was a supporter of Duke Senior. However, Orlando's efforts have earned him the love of Rosalind.
Afraid of Rosalind's sway over the people, Duke Frederick banishes her from his court. Celia and Touchstone loyally accompany her to the Forest of Arden, where Duke Senior is now living. To travel safely, Rosalind and Celia disguise themselves as brother and sister, adopting the names Ganymede and Aliena.
Meanwhile, Adam, an old family servant, warns Orlando that Oliver is planning to kill him (this time by burning his lodging). Orlando and Adam also flee to the forest, where they join Duke Senior’s camp.
Rosalind (as Ganymede), Celia (as Aliena) and Touchstone start a new life in the country. They buy a house and some land and become acquainted with the local folk—including a young shepherd, Silvius, who loves the disdainful Phebe, and the flirty Audrey, for whom Touchstone falls hard.
Orlando, smitten with Rosalind, papers the forest with his love poetry. Celia, Touchstone and Rosalind discover the verses and thus learn that Orlando is in the forest.
Rosalind, meeting Orlando in her male disguise, offers to cure him of his lovesickness by role-playing as his love, Rosalind. Orlando agrees to visit every day and woo him (her). The situation becomes even more complicated when Phebe falls for the disguised Rosalind, frustrating the lovesick Silvius (and Rosalind herself!).
Through their "wooing," Orlando is tutored on the ways of love by Rosalind, and the two "lovers" join hands in a mock marriage ceremony, officiated by the reluctant Celia.
Orlando departs to attend on Duke Senior, promising to return in two hours. He does not appear, and the girls are astonished by the arrival of Oliver in Orlando's stead. Oliver has been saved from death by his brother, who is now wounded. Rosalind faints at this news.
Oliver and Celia fall in love at first sight. Oliver cedes his land to Orlando in order to stay in the Forest of Arden with Celia. They are to be married the next day. The news of his brother's wedding has amplified Orlando's longing for the real Rosalind. Rosalind (as Ganymede) promises that she will find his Rosalind so they can also be married.
Phebe, with Silvius in tow, appears and declares her love for Ganymede. Rosalind (Ganymede) promises to marry Phebe—if she ever marries a woman. If not, Phebe must marry Silvius. They all agree.
At the wedding the next day, Rosalind is as good as her word, and there are four happily united couples: Rosalind and Orlando, Celia and Oliver, Phebe and Silvius, and Audrey and Touchstone.
In the midst of the festivities, Jaques, Orlando and Oliver's youngest brother, arrives with news that Duke Frederick has reformed. He is going to join a monastery and gives the duchy back to Duke Senior.
With order restored, Rosalind steps forward to deliver the epilogue, conjuring the audience to "like as much of the play as please you" and to bid her farewell.