Dwight H. Inge
The objective of the first lesson is to help the student become aware of the similarity between family problems in Shakespeare’ s play and those problems they find in their own lives.
Students will list a few personality traits beside the names of the characters in ACT I, i of “As you Like It“ in their notes. The names and characteristics will be listed one by one, as they are introduced in the text. The students should not be burdened with tedious volumes of introductory material, lest they lose interest in the play before they’ve even begun reading it.
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Orlando—the disenchanted younger brother of Oliver, who suffers abusive neglect from his older brother Oliver
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Adam—was the honorable servant to Sir Rowland de Boys’ dead father; now servant of sons Oliver (chiefly), Jaques, and Orlando
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Oliver—the older brother of Orlando, and executor of the deceased father’s estate
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Dennis—servant to Oliver
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Charles—wrestler and friend of Oliver
Vocabulary words:
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1. bequeathed
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2. usurper
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3. dominion
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4. courtier
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5. vicar
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6. prodigal
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7. penury
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8. albeit
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9. requite
An activity (or assignment) with the vocabulary words might involve the students’ replacement of the unfamiliar word with a modern term or paraphrase worked into the text, e.g., “thou prun’st a dead tree” replaced by “you’re wasting time:” Then, the students might practice putting the Shakespearian term into their daily conversational language.
Students will be informed that Orlando is complaining about something and that they are to figure out what he is saying in his speech that begins the play, ACT I,i,11.1-28. They will study the passage silently and will then write a summary of its contents. Class discussion will follow to incorporate the views of various students.
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1. What does “to breed me well” mean?
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2. What is Jaques’ profit?
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3. What is the significance of the references to oxen and horses?
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4. What is it that Orlando will no longer endure?
Students may discuss sibling rivalry. Is it normal behavior? How many have experienced it in their own family?
Students will now be assigned parts to be read aloud in class. The teacher will be taking a part.
In ACT I,i the following issues will be discussed:
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1. the order of birth
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2. threatening behavior
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3. Adam’s mistreatment by Oliver
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4. References to Rosalind’s plight
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5. Why do people find Orlando attractive?
In “As You Like It” the reader can learn about the characters through dialogue: conversation between characters. Dialogue may be used to give insights into the personalities of the characters by showing how they think, or interact with each other.
Using the text, the students will cite and discuss an instance of conversation that clearly gives the reader facts or clues about the personality of a character.
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1. What sort of a person is the character?
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2. What parts of the dialogue lead you to this conclusion?
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3. How do the characters feel toward each other?
For homework, students may write, for example, an analysis of the dialogue between Charles and Oliver, ACT I,ii,11.125-181. Students might discuss Oliver’s plan to get his brother killed by Charles the wrestler, and the reasons for this plot, etc.