How does Shakespeare explore genre, themes and the character of Jacques in Act 2 Scene 1 of his play "As You Like It"?

Act 2 Scene 1 is our introduction to the forest of Arden and the banished Duke Senior. It lies betwixt scenes which illustrate the corruption of the courtroom, the stress of court life, and the aggressive, merciless computer address of the angry Duke. In such a position it is absolutely placed to emphasise the occupation between the fickleness of court life and the honesty and simple joy of country life. This demarcation forms the essence of the pastoral genre, very popular in Elizabethan times, and of which As You Like It is an example. The pastoral genre typically centres around affect courtiers who leave for the country and learn important lessons from the pure and simple lifestyle and heady rural folk, before returning, reinvigorated, to the court. In exploring the theme of truth and artifice, part through the character of Jacques, Shakespe atomic number 18 examines and questions the pastoral tradition

In his opening speech, the Duke Senior establishes the contrast between court and country. He compares the painted pomp and eulogy of the envious court to the honest counsellors found in the fierce weather that feelingly persuade him what he is. He finds redeeming(prenominal) in everything around him, and lessons to be learned (sermons in stones). These sentiments are all traditional of the pastoral genre, and yet Shakespeare introduces a take note of irony in the response of Amiens: that the Duke is barely translat[ing] what Amiens still regards as the stubbornness of fortune.



Furthermore, the retention of official titles (the Duke is addressed as my Lord) suggests that the exiles are still grasping for the life of the court, and that the Duke is only attempting to make his brothers and co-mates (although there is clearly not equality) feel better. The Dukes self-deception is one way in which Shakespeare explores the theme of...

Thank you for your detailed description of Jacques in Act 2 Scene 1 of Shakespeares carry As You Like It. Im sure many will utility from the depth of your analysis. Way to go!

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