As You Like It LRJ#1

Aaron Fernandez

Ms. Peifer

10IB English 5th Hour

March 16, 2009

In Act 1 of As You Like It by Shakespeare there is a very prominent idea of Court versus Country.  Though it is not said directly to others, there are comments or conversations where the Court feels they are a better society than the Country.  The Court banishes people to the Country as an exile, and they see this as a major punishment.  They are false ideas that the Court has about those who do live in the Country, and the theme of Court versus Country, is a theme that will go on throughout the book.  The Court feels that the Country is a place of criminals, and bad people because that is where all the exiled are.  This theme gives the book a underlying conflict, that shows the personalities of the characters.  

La Beau is speaking with his friend Orlando, and says that Rosalind cannot be good -mannered because her father was banished, and he lives in the Country.  He says to Orlando, "Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners"(1.2.272).  This shows how the Court looks down upon what the Country does, that they cannot be well mannered because they live in the trees.  The people of the Country are seen as those who are but ill educated and who are not respectable in society.  Duke Frederick once again demonstrates that the Court believes exile to be of the worst because they have to live in the forest, he says, "So near our public court as twenty miles, thou diest for it"(1.3.45).  The Duke thinks that Rosalind will be so scared of the people that she will try to escape and come back to the Court.  He thinks that the people who live in the Country are savages, who do not deserve anything but the criminals who are exiled.  

Celia expresses the idea she has in her mind as people who live in the Country when she says, "I'll put myself in poor and mean attire, And with a kind of umber smirch my face"(1.3.117-118). She has this idea that the people in the Country wear beaten up clothes, and are not clean people, and that is why she is going to have to dress down, and look like a "forest" person.  

The theme of Court versus Country gives another conflict which at the end of the play will be solved.  The people who reside in the Court have a mental idea that the Country is an awful place that no on will ever want to go to, but in reality many who are exiled see it as liberty.

As You Like It LRJ #5

Aaron Fernandez

Ms. Peifer 

10IB English 5th Hour

March 16, 2009

In the final Act of As You Like It, people of the Court come to realize that there is nothing wrong with being form the Country.  That even if they are not Courtly educated in manners, and in education that it does not mean that the people in the Country are by any means inferior, or lesser beings.  They have realized that they are honest and modest people who try and live life to the fullest, with the most mannered lifestyle.  The people in the Court are falling in love with those who appear to be or are form the Country, like Celia, and Oliver, and Touchstone and Audrey.  They have formed a bond with those of the Country and now do not neglect the those who are form the Country.  Country versus Court was such an important theme throughout the entire play, but now that has faded away and become an alliance not a despise for one another.

Touchstone who criticized the Country for what seems like the entire play fell in love with one who is form the Country who is a shepherd.  He even looks upon those who have been brought up in the forest, and who take pride in being from there.  He first asks William, "Was born i' th' forest here?"(5.1.23).  Then he goes on to saying, "'Thank God' A good answer"(5.1.25).  Touchstone now realizes that he was being ignorant to those who lived in the Country, he finds himself liking those who are from there, he finds them interesting.  He sees the wrong it criticizing those who are form the Forest but now sees the wrong in his ways, and finds that there was nothing wrong with living in the Country that it was just a different was of living.  Those who do live in the Country are very proud to say so, and they see now that the Court has become more accepting of the Country people. 

Orlando now comes to realize that the people in the Country as well educated as those who are in the Court he even says that they are very wise, and knowledgeable.  He says to Duke Senior, "But, my good lord, this boy is forest- born And hath been tutored in the rudiments Of many desperate studies by his uncle"(5.4.31-33).  Orlando sees that Ganymede is very well mannered, and that in the end he has helped Orlando to be confident in his love to Rosalind.  Ganymede is seen as someone who is strong and that he is very wise, and that is why Orlando now sees the forest people as people who are helpful, and they are good people.

The people of the Court now have a new found love for those of the Country.  They see that they are not inferior but equals who just have a different way of life.  They see that there is nothing wrong with living in the forest, and that they are many good people who do live there.  Many of who they fall in love with.  The Court and the Country are not so opposed to much as when the play started, and that was Shakespeare's lesson to live in one's shoes before who criticize them, and to learn all there is to know about them before one goes on to judge.   

As You like it LRJ #4

Aaron Fernandez

Ms. Peifer

English 10IB 5th Hour

March 16, 2009

In Act 4 Shakespeare does not use the conflict that has been seen throughout the entire play, which is the conflict between Court and Country.  There are very little instances when it is brought up and the two sides are shown.  Oliver describes what the Country looks like, and Rosalind tells Jaques to be proud of where he is from, but there are few instances where there is a rivalry between Court, and Country in Act 4.  The theme has a played an important role throughout the play, but in this particular scene there is more love, and sibling bonding than rivalry.

 Rosalind hears that Jaques that he should not be sad, but be joyful because he is from the forest.  She thinks that he should be prideful because he is from there and that he should not show weakness, but show that those who are from the Country are strong and brave people who will stand up for their home.  Rosalind says to Jaques, "Disable all benefits of your own country, be out of love with your nativity, and almost chide God for making you the countenance you are"(37- 40).  She is telling him to be proud that he is from the forest, that he should use all the resources it has to to find good reason of why to be there.  That the Country has many benefits, and it is where he was born, and that he should take pride in being there to show all those who are in the Court, that he is a brave man, not a weak person from the Country.  Rosalind tells him that he should cherish every quality which he has because to her she sees a beautiful person.

Jaques and the Lords, mock the Country, by saying that they are so in tune with nature that they do not kill animals.  They go on to dressing themselves and foresters, and mocking those who live in the Country.  They even sing a song about it, and they have this stereotype that those who live in the Country, are but animal lovers who worship the nature.  Jaques says, "Have you no song, forester, for this purpose?"(4.3.6-7).  They mock those who are of the forest saying that only have petty songs, and that they sing for every occasion.  They make fun of those who feel that killing is wrong.  They feel that the Court is much more advanced because they have large cities, and big castles, and they eat plenty of meat.  They think that they are better because all those who are in exile are thrown to the Country.

Shakespeare has very few instances where he does use the theme of Country versus Court, but nonetheless he still puts in a little bit of it.  He shows that even through all that has happened the people on the Court are still just has stubborn and ignorant to the Country being a working society as in the beginning of the play.  

As You like is LRJ #3

Aaron Fernandez

Ms. Peifer 5th Hour

10IB English

March 15, 2009

In Act 3 Shakespeare places a strong emphases on Court versus Country he shows how people in the court feel about the people who live in the Country.  They see them as ill- mannered, and people who are of lesser value because they were not properly educated.  Even Touchstone who is the fool of the Court looks down upon those of the Country.  It is a important theme throughout the entire story.

Touchstone really has no idea that the people who do live in the country are very well mannered.  He tells Corin, "Why, if thou never wast at court, thou never saw'st good manners; if thou never saw'st good manners"(3.2.41-42).  Touchstone is saying that if a person has not grown up in the Court and has not been grown up by their ways then that means that thye have no manners, or are not well educated.  

Shakespeare also shows that the people who live in the Country are completely aware of what the Court thinks of them.  They people in the Country love how they live, and they also mock how the people in the Court live.  Corin says to Touchstone, "Those that are good manners at the Court are as ridiculous in the country as the behavior of the country is most mockable at the court"(3.2.45-48).  Corin shows what the Country point of view is.  They are more humble, and more accepting than the Court.  Corin proves to Touchstone, and to all those who live in the Court that they are very educated and that nature is something that is all around the world.  Corin proves that he can give an educated response, and he is very proud of being from the Country.  

The people in the Court and the Country and not that different form each other they just have different points of view about themselves, and mostly about each other, but in the end they are just as well educated, and mannered.  

 

As You Like It LRJ #2

Aaron Fernandez

Ms. Peifer

10IB English Hour 5

March 15, 2009

The Court versus Country is such an important theme throughout the entire story of As You Like It.  The whole story revolves around the characters having their home in either the Country or the Court.  The people who live in the court feel that they are more sophisticated, and that the people who live in the country are but savages, who are not nearly as intellectual.  On the contrary the people who live in the country feel that their lives are more calm, and they live a life that is purer, and and more revolved around nature.  They feel that it was the best decision in their lives to go to the forest, and be united with others who feel the same way.  Shakespeare uses this as a major theme because it explains why there is some controversy in the story.  The theme is that nature can also show  lessons that are needed in life, that school is not the only area were people can learn.     

The people who live in the forest have come to love it, if they were born in the forest they have so much pride in saying that they were born there.  The people who have come to the forest because of exile like Duke Frederick or because they chose to do so are also very satisfied with their new lifestyle.  Duke Frederick tells his friend Amiens, and other lords, "Are not these woods more free from peril that that of the envious court?"(2.1.3-4).  Duke Frederick states that he is much happier living in the woods, that there is so much greed, and unnecessary fighting in the court.  Duke Frederick likes being away from all the problems that the court cause, and he enjoys being able to make his own decisions, and living life to the fullest without the pressures of the big city or the court.  Then Duke Frederick goes on to say, "And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books, in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything"(2.1. 15-16).  He says that knowledge does not have to come from books or from a school, but that nature can teach the way of life, and it can show people what knowledge they need to know in order to succeed on life.  

The Court has an idea in their minds that all the people in the Country are savages who are ill- educated, and foul- mannered.  The Court sends those people who are exiled to the Country thinking that it is a bad thing but in reality, the people who are exiled find themselves enjoying it very much.  The people in the Court have a stereotype that the Country natives are savages, and that they are much less superior to those of the Court.  Orlando expresses this idea when he says to the Duke Frederick, "Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you I thought that all things had been savage here"(2.7. 111-112).  The people in the Court have this idea that all people in the Country are bad and uneducated but they are actually kind, and sophisticated beings.  Court versus Country is a wide spread theme thought the entire story, it is a feud that affects many of the characters daily lives.  

Macbeth LRJ #6

Aaron Fernandez

English 10IB

Ms. Peifer

March 4, 2009

1) Shakespeare asks the reader  is power and wealth, worth the morals and honor which one stands for.  Shakespeare asks the reader what consequences follow a man or woman after they have committed a wrong doing.  Macbeth starts off as a good person who follows what he believes to be right, and he know that murder is wrong.  He says, " Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature?"(1.3. 141-143).  He is afraid of doing in wrong to anyone, and he doesn't want to gain power by killing.  Lady Macbeth is the woman who taunts Macbeth to tell him that he has to be a man, and do whatever he can in order to gain power.  She says, " And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,' Like the poor cat i' the adage?"(1.7. 46-48).  Shakespeare wants the reader to realize that a person has to follow what he or she thinks is right and not to merely be persuaded to do something just because he or she is to weak to speak against it. 

2) Shakespeare answers that consequences will always follow the actions of a person.  Whether is was good or bad, there will be an after consequence.  Macbeth lost his beloved wife, and his kingdom, and at the end his life.  He was so caught up in murder that he was unable to stop, and every time he was opposed he would strike again.  Macbeth could never tell the truth so he lived a life of fear, and despair, he became paranoid of everything because he was so worried that he would be caught in a foul act.  Macbeth was so afraid that he had his closest friend murdered in order to assure his crown, and to proceed on living in his own lie.  Macbeth says, "Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would fear'd"(3.1. 50-52).  Macbeth was afraid of everything he became paranoid, and he even though that his most beloved friend would betray him.  Macbeth becomes very hollow and emotionless at the end of the play.  He has murdered so much that he has lost the respect of all, and he has lost all of his dignity and morals.  He is honor less by the end of the play, and he himself explains that he now fearless, that emotions such as sadness, and fear do not strike him anymore, he says, "I have supp'd full with horros; Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts Cannot once start me"(5.5. 14-16).  Macbeth is saying that things that once horrified him to even think about now do not scare him, being all that he has been through.  Macbeth has become shameful.  Shakespeare sends the message that emotions are good, and that all have conscience which should be followed in order to be on the right path.  Shakespeare writes that once we commit a wrong and do not repent we die a little bit inside, and our soul becomes a hollow are.  That consequences will always follow the wrong doings, and the people who cause problems in others lives.  Shakespeare's message is to live a honorable, and gracious life, and to follow the conscience which everyone has. 

Macbeth LRJ #5

Aaron Fernandez

10IB English

Ms. Peifer

March 4, 2009

1) A theme that Shakespeare makes very evident is that nothing good comes from committing sin.  That eventually the consequences will catch up to the sinner, and they will have to pay the price for their actions.  Lady Macbeth was a very strong woman, with a stern point of view, and she was very brave, but in the end all the murder that her and her husband committed was to much for her to take in, and she started to sleep walk.  She says in her sleep, " Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!"(5.1. 45-47).  Lady Macbeth has completely become insane she is now sleep walking, and expressing that there is nothing in this world that could clean her hands of the wrong she has done and all the bloodshed.  Shakespeare emphasizes to not commit sin, because at one point in life it will catch up to the sinner.  Shakespeare brings another theme to act five which is the act of sin is so strong that it can take away our souls, and emotions.  That a person who can have the heart to murder so many people, and kill without ever feeling remorse, will lose their soul, and become mindless of their surroundings.  Macbeth is saying to Sayton, " I have almost forgot the taste of fears; The time has been"( 5.5. 9- 10) Macbeth is explaining that the emotion of fear is not in his vocabulary anymore.  He has killed so much, and he has constantly committed wrong acts, that his soul is empty now, and he is full of misery.  Shakespeare's theme is to led the reader in the right path, and to explain that murder is incorrect and it will only destroy the mental state of being of a human.

2) Sleep is a important image pattern in Act five.  Lady Macbeth has not been able to sleep, and she sleep walks because she is so full of despair.  When she is awake she is afraid of saying the truth, but when she is asleep.  Macbeth at the beginning of the story after he has killed Duncan he says that he has murdered sleep, and that he will never sleep again because he disrupted someones sleep.  Lady Macbeth's sleep has now been disturbed.  The doctor tells the Gentlewoman, "This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds"(5.1. 59- 61).  The Doctor, and people around her are realizing that she has done, and that her sleep has been disrupted.  Sleep is a big image pattern throughout the story because so many characters are deprived of it.