Long notes for class xi from As You Like It.

     

1) Describe the meeting between Orlando and Oliver in the forest.

 Ans:- One morning on his way to the cottage of Rosalind sees a man lying asleep on the ground. There is a poisonous snake twisted round his neck. Going closer Orlando discovers that the man is Oliver and that a lioness is waiting for Oliver to wake up and to be her food. Though Oliver has been the worst  unbrotherly to him, he feels pity for  Oliver. As he approaches, the snake sensing danger, glides away. Orlando  fights with the lioness and in the process becomes badly injured. In the meantime Oliver wakes up, understands the entire matter and begs forgiveness of Orlando. As Orlando forgives the two brother become united in the bond of love.

2) "When all the persons were eagerly waiting for a miracle to happen..."- what was the 'miracle' and how did it happen?

Ans :- The miracle was that Orlando would be married to the beautiful Rosalind on the day of Oliver's marrying the disguised Aliena.

         On the appointed day the disguised   Ganymede asked the Duke  if he would marry his daughter Rosalind off to Orlando, and he agreed. Then she asked Orlando if he would marry Rosalind if she was brought there and he agreed. So Rosalind went to a nearby cottage, took off her disguise and presented herself before one and all as Rosalind, the daughter of the Duke. In this way the miracle happened through the play of wit on the part of Rosalind.

3) How did rosalind win orlando's heart?

Ans:- Orlando won the wrestling match. The inspiration from the ladies boosted his confidence and he emerged  victorious.
However when he introduced himself as Orlando the youngest Son of Sir Rowland de Boys the Duke got extremely annoyed. Orlando's father was a friend of his brother whom he banished. Rosalind was very happy to hear this. She felt sympathetic for his misfortune and gave Orlando her chain. She also said that she would have given him a more valuable gift but she is out of fortune. This immediately on Orlando's heart.

4) Sketch the character of Orlando.

Ans:- Orlando is the pyramid of artistic perfection in the tale As You Like It. he is a sober man with neither education nor social esteem. He occupies the pivotal position. He appears to be the bravest and the noblest in the whole tale. His victory in the wrestling match proves his prowess. At the court his courtesy to Rosalind and Celia speaks of his pure soul. Naturally he falls in love with Rosalind at first sight without even thinking about their social disparity. His rudeness for the sake of Adam suggests that he is a man of genuine feeling. Like a ideal human being he saves the life of Oliver. His marriage with Rosalind is the ideal reward for his simplistic character.