The comedy As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s mature works and written in about 1599-1600, being first performed shortly thereafter. It has become one of Shakespeare’s more popular works and is full of highly quotable lines and speeches (including ‘all the world’s a stage’). Nevertheless, it is not one of Shakespreare’s better works because it lacks sustained, consistent thematic depth or meaning and has too much stage business at the expense of dramatic structure.

The principal action of As You Like It takes place in the mythical Forest of Arden, in which Rosalind is forced to spend her time after being forced by ill-treatment out of her family home (this is reminiscent of the aftermath of the Fall, with Eve having to join Adam discovering the world outside the Garden of Eden). Accompanying Rosalind are Orlando and Celia, the former having been previously exiled by his wicked elder brother and the latter a close friend. Rosalind and Celia quite sensibly decide to disguise themselves as men, recognizing that the dangers facing women in the wilderness are more threatening than those facing men. For several acts, they wander around the Forest involving themselves in acts of misidentification, singing songs and ultimately finding the love that will enable the happy ending and the categorization thereby of the play as a comedy.

Perhaps the most interesting character in the play overall is Jaques, who is described as ‘melancholy’ but who should probably be considered a villainous malcontent. The malcontent was a common figure in the drama of Shakespeare’s time and had the general characteristics of ambition, intelligence, willingness to compromise ethical behaviour and a position in life in which their talents are under-used. It is Jaques who claims that ‘All the world’s a stage and men and women but players upon it’ and, in Machiavellian style, he seems to see himself as the playwright who will direct the action by manipulating the other characters. In doing so, he has limited success as his plans receive some initial success before virtue (or at least beauty and privilege) triumphs and the comedic element prevails. Nevertheless, as often occurs with malcontented villains, Jaques is defeated but not slain and there is the possibility that he might rise again one day – Shakespeare’s audience will have been reminded of the Devil, widely believed to be a real figure in those days intent on roaring like a lion and seeking whom he might devour. Constant vigilance is required to ensure that the Devil/Jaques does not manage to sneak back into hearth and home in some form of disguise.