Look closely at II.1.1-60 and discuss how the Duke and Jacques present the Forest of Arden.

Essay by 035845High School, 12th grade April 2004

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Jacques and Duke Senior both have extremely different views concerning the Forest of Arden, and the language and tone Shakespeare uses to accentuate these views differs accordingly.

The Duke, who has been usurped by his younger brother and exiled to the Forest of Arden, seems determined to find no fault with the forest and regard it as their sanctuary and not their place of banishment. He uses words like 'sweet' 'smile' and 'good' to illustrate that their situation is not unpleasant or distressing, and to try and keep up the spirits of his followers. He presents the forest as a refuge and tries hard to make his lords feel this too, as they must live in contentment, and not suffering. This he succeeds in since his lords are adamant about the conditions of the Forest, declaring that they 'would not change it'. The language the Duke uses is always positive, and even when he has harsh words to say about some aspects, for example the 'chiding of the winter's wind', he balances it with positive words such as 'smile', and positive comments; 'this is no flattery'.

He also uses references to the restricted and intolerable lifestyle they led at the Court and contrasts this to life in the Forest. He refers to the life at the Court as 'painted pomp', meaning everything was false and everyone untrustworthy, with egotistical and boastful people inflated by their own self-importance leaving no room for values such as integrity and truth. This contrast highlights the independence and freedom they enjoy in the Forest, untouched by the vanity of the Court. The Duke uses many rhetorical questions when comparing Court life to forest life, and these rhetorical devices show that the Duke clearly believes that the forest is better.

'Hath not custom made...