Chapter 3 – As You Like It Solutions & Q&A

Content Structure

1. About the author – William Shakespeare
2. Summary of the As You Like It
- Act – I
- Act – II
- Act – III
- Act – IV
- Act – V
3. Word meanings
4. Additional Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. About the author – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was a famous English playwright, poet and actor who was born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He is known as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s best dramatist. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. His famous plays are Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello and Julius Caesar. He writes about love, power, jealousy and fate. He died on 23rd April 1616.

2. Summary of the As You Like It

Act – I

The story begins in France, when the country was divided into small areas called provinces or dukedoms. A bad younger brother took the throne from his elder brother. The banished Duke went to live in the Forest of Arden with some loyal followers. They lived like Robin Hood, enjoying the calm and beauty of nature, and said that trees, rivers, stones, and nature all had something good to teach. The banished Duke had a daughter named Rosalind, but she stayed in the palace because she was the best friend and cousin of Celia, the daughter of the current Duke. One day, as they were talking, a messenger came and told them about a wrestling match, so Celia suggested they go and watch it to make Rosalind feel better. The match started, and the young man fought bravely and defeated the wrestler. Duke Frederick was impressed by the young man’s strength and courage, so he asked him about his name and background. The youth said he was Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys. Rosalind was very happy and gave him her gold chain as a gift. One day, while the two girls were talking about Orlando, Duke Frederick suddenly entered their room and got angry, so he ordered Rosalind to leave the palace and go to her father in the forest.

Act – II

Celia and Rosalind decided to go to the Forest of Arden to find Rosalind’s father, but they knew it would be unsafe to travel as rich young ladies, so they changed their clothes. Rosalind dressed like a young country boy and called herself Ganymede. Celia wore the clothes of a village girl and took the name Aliena. They pretended to be brother and sister. When they reached the Forest of Arden, they met a countryman and asked for food and shelter in return for money. The man worked for a shepherd who was selling his house and sheep, so the sisters bought both. They decided to stay there until they could find Rosalind’s father. Orlando also came to the Forest of Arden because of his brother’s cruelty and feeling lonely and friendless. Oliver became jealous after hearing that his younger brother Orlando had won the wrestling match. He planned to burn Orlando alive while he was sleeping. Adam discovered this evil plan and quickly rushed to warn Orlando about his brother’s cruelty. He advised him to run away and gave him all his life savings of 500 gold coins and together they began their journey, hoping to find work, and finally reached the Forest of Arden, tired and hungry.

Act – III

Orlando went into the forest to find food and suddenly came across Duke Senior and his followers, who were eating their dinner. Orlando pulled out his sword and tried to stop them, but the Duke remained calm and asked why Orlando was behaving so rudely. The Duke kindly invited him to sit and eat, but Orlando explained that his old friend Adam was also hungry and weak. He went to get Adam, and both of them happily shared the meal with the Duke. A few days later, while walking in the forest, Rosalind disguised as Ganymede and Celia disguised as Aliena were surprised to see Rosalind’s name carved into tree trunks, along with love poems. They soon met Orlando, but he did not recognize Rosalind because of her disguise as a boy. Rosalind joked that someone had been writing poems and carving a girl’s name into the trees, and Orlando admitted that he had done it. Then Rosalind, still disguised as Ganymede, came up with a plan. She told Orlando to visit their cottage every day and pretend that Ganymede was his lady love, Rosalind. She said that if Orlando pretended Ganymede was Rosalind, he would learn how girls behave and maybe stop loving Rosalind.

Act – IV

Orlando agreed and began visiting the cottage every day to play the game. Rosalind enjoyed seeing how deeply Orlando loved her, and the days passed happily for both her as Ganymede and Celia as Aliena. Celia noticed Rosalind’s growing happiness while spending time with Orlando and chose not to remind her of the real reason they had come to the forest. One day, Orlando told them where the Duke was staying. The next morning, as he was on his way to meet Ganymede, he saw a man sleeping on the ground. A snake was curled around the man’s neck, and a lioness was waiting nearby, ready to attack when the man woke up. Orlando soon realized the man was his brother Oliver, so he quickly jumped in and bravely fought off the lioness, saving his brother. In the fight, he was injured on the arm. When Oliver woke up and saw how bravely his younger brother had saved him, he felt ashamed and full of regret. He apologized to Orlando, who forgave him and hugged him. Orlando then asked Oliver to go to Ganymede and explain why he couldn’t come that day. Oliver went to the cottage and told them everything, Celia as Aliena was deeply moved by his words and fell in love with him. Oliver, touched by her kindness and warmth, also fell in love with her. He told Orlando that he wanted to marry Aliena, live as a shepherd, and give all his property to Orlando.

Act – V

Orlando suggested that Oliver and Aliena should get married the next day, and he would invite the Duke to attend when Ganymede came to visit him to ask how he was feeling. Orlando and Ganymede talked about how Oliver and Aliena had fallen in love; Orlando explained that Oliver had gone to ask Aliena to marry him and they planned to marry the next day if she agreed. Orlando also wished he could marry Rosalind on the same day. Ganymede liked the idea and said that if Orlando truly loved Rosalind, he should have his wish. She explained that she had learned a magical trick from her uncle and would try to bring Rosalind the next day. Ganymede told Orlando to dress well and invite the Duke and his friends to the wedding. The next morning, Oliver and Orlando came to the Duke with Aliena, when Ganymede also arrived and asked the Duke if he would allow Rosalind to marry Orlando; the Duke agreed. Then the two sisters, Rosalind and Celia, went into the cottage, removed their disguises, and came out in their true identities. The Duke was filled with joy to see his daughter again and gave his blessings. Rosalind married Orlando, and Celia married Oliver, while everyone was enjoying the wedding dinner, a messenger arrived with surprising news: the Duke’s kingdom had been returned to him. The cruel Duke had come into the forest with an army to kill his brother, but before he could act, he met a kind hermit. The hermit’s wise words deeply touched him, and he realized his mistakes. He gave up his evil plans, chose a peaceful life in a religious place, and returned the dukedom lands and gave them to his brother. Celia congratulated Rosalind, and they all returned to the palace with joy and peace in their hearts.

WB 11 all notes

3. Word meanings

Word	Meanings
Usurper	A person who takes someone else’s position or power without right.
Deposed	Remove a leader or ruler from their position by force.
Adversities	Hard times
Discord	Disagreement
Dissuade	Discourage
Ensuing	Following
Entreaties	Requests
Valour	Bravery
Pleaded	Requested strongly
Attire	Clothing
Stout-hearted	Brave
Fatigue	Tiredness
Vowed	Made a strong or serious promise
Impending	About to happen
Valiant	Brave and strong
Comprehend	Understand
Grab	Take quickly
Morsel	Small bite
Despise	Feel deep hatred or disrespect for someone or something
Feign	Pretend
Pranks and whims	Tricks and playful ideas
Woo	Try to win love
Banished	Sent away
Lineage	The line of family members from whom someone is descended
Perceived	Noticed
Venomous	Poisonous
Repenting	Feeling sorry
Reconciliation	Becoming friendly again after an argument or fight
Swoon	Faint
Counterfeit	Fake
Strived	Made a great effort to achieve something
Personas	The characters
Venison	Deer meat
Penitence	Regret
Domain	The area or land someone rules or owns.
Revenues	Earnings
Enliven	To make something more active, interesting, or cheerful
Complemented	Matched well
Provinces	Regions
Leisure time	Free time
Faithfulness	Loyalty
Whimsicality	Acting in a fun, unpredictable, or fanciful way.
Bid	Offer
Splendour	Impressive beauty, richness, or magnificence

WB 11 all notes

4. Additional Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Who saved Oliver from a lioness?
(a) Adam
(b) The Duke
(c) Orlando
(d) Rosalind

Ans: (c) Orlando

2. Who changed Duke Frederick’s mind?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Oliver
(c) Orlando
(d) A hermit

Ans: (d) A hermit

3. How did the Duke describe the cold winds?
(a) Enemies
(b) True counsellors
(c) Monsters
(d) Burden

Ans: (b) True counsellors

4. Where did the banished Duke go after being exiled?
(a) Forest of Arden
(b) Village cottage
(c) Coastal town
(d) City palace

Ans: (a) Forest of Arden

5. Who warned Orlando of danger?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Adam
(c) Celia
(d) Oliver

Ans: (b) Adam

6. Who tried to burn Orlando alive?
(a) Frederick
(b) Adam
(c) Oliver
(d) Sir Rowland

Ans: (c) Oliver

7. Who did Rosalind disguise herself as?
(a) Ganymede
(b) Phoebe
(c) Audrey
(d) Aliena

Ans: (a) Ganymede

8. What was the relation between Rosalind and Celia?
(a) Friends
(b) Cousins
(c) Rivals
(d) Sisters

Ans: (b) Cousins

9. What kind of life did Rosalind and Celia live in the forest?
(a) Royal life
(b) City life
(c) Shepherd life
(d) Merchant life

Ans: (c) Shepherd life

10. What name did Celia use in disguise?
(a) Aliena
(b) Rosalind
(c) Silvia
(d) Ganymede

Ans: (a) Aliena

11. What did Rosalind and Celia buy in the forest?
(a) A palace
(b) A hut
(c) A house and sheep
(d) A boat

Ans: (c) A house and sheep

12. The banished Duke learned lessons from —
(a) his followers
(b) the duke Frederick
(c) Nature
(d) his daughter Rosalind

Ans: (c) Nature

13. The Duke’s daughter was —
(a) Aliena
(b) Rosalind
(c) Celia
(d) Ganymade

Ans: (b) Rosalind

14. The daughter of the present duke was-
(a) Aliena
(b) Ganymede
(c) Celia
(d) Rosalind

Ans: (c) Celia

15. Rosalind stayed in Duke Frederick’s palace as —
(a) a bodyguard of Celia
(b) Celia’s companion
(c) a messenger
(d) a wrestler

Ans: (b) Celia’s companion

16. Celia’s father was-
(a) the duke Frederick
(b) Sir Rowland de Boys
(c) Adam
(d) The Rosalind duke

Ans: (a) the duke Frederick

17. The result of the wrestling match was –
(a) Orlando won
(b) Orlando was defeated
(c) it was a draw
(d) Orlando was killed

Ans: (a) Orlando won

18. The winner of the wrestling match was —
(a) the practiced wrestler
(b) Orlando
(c) Oliver
(a) Adam

Ans: (b) Orlando

19. Orlando was-
(a) an experienced fighter
(b) a practiced wrestler
(c) an inexperienced wrestler
(d) a coward wrestler

Ans: (c) an inexperienced wrestler

20. Sir Rowland de Boys was a true friend of —
(a) the duke Frederick
(b) Adam
(c) the lawful duke
(d) Orlando

Ans: (c) the lawful duke

21. France in the story was divided into —
(a) kingdoms
(b) states
(c) dukedoms
(d) union territories

Ans: (c) dukedoms

22. The lawful duke was banished by his-
(a) elder brother
(b) younger brother
(c) son-in-law
(d) son

Ans: (b) younger brother

23. Rosalind was the duke Frederick’s-
(a) daughter
(b) sister
(c) niece
(d) wife

Ans: (c) niece

24. Rosalind and Celia were –
(a) colleagues
(b) classmates
(c) neighbours
(d) cousins

Ans: (d) cousins

25. While going to the forest, Duke Frederick later met a —
(a) warrior
(b) shepherd
(c) hunter
(d) hermit

Ans: (d) hermit

26. After meeting the hermit, Frederick decided to live in a —
(a) mission
(b) palace
(c) religious house
(d) forest

Ans: (c) religious house

27. Duke Frederick changed his mind after meeting a —
(a) begger
(b) monk
(c) hermit
(d) priest

Ans: (c) hermit

28. In the forest, Rosalind and Celia met a —
(a) shepherd
(b) teacher
(c) hunter
(d) hermit

Ans: (a) shepherd

29. Oliver’s plan was overheard by —
(a) Rosalind
(b) Celia
(c) Adam
(d) Orlando

Ans: (c) Adam

30. Adam loved Orlando because —
(a) he was very charming
(b) he was honest
(c) he took after his father
(d) he resembled his mother

Ans: (c) he took after his father

31. The line “O my gentle master, my sweet master” was spoken by —
(a) Oliver
(b) Adam
(c) Orlando
(d) Rosalind

Ans: (b) Adam

32. Adam gave Orlando —
(a) five hundred crowns
(b) six hundred crowns
(c) five hundred roubles
(d) six hundred roubles

Ans: (a) five hundred crowns

33. Orlando called Adam —
(a) green old man
(b) sad old man
(c) happy old man
(d) good old man

Ans: (d) good old man

34. Orlando escaped from home with —
(a) Oliver
(b) Adam
(c) Frederick
(d) Rosalind

Ans: (b) Adam

35. When searching for food in the forest, Orlando met —
(a) the duke Frederick
(b) Rosalind
(c) the banished duke
(d) Oliver

Ans: (c) the banished duke

36. When Rosalind met Orlando in the forest, she gave him —
(a) a gold chain
(b) a gold ring
(c) a gold earring
(d) a gold coin

Ans: (b) a gold ring

37. Rosalind dressed as a man because —
(a) she looked like a man
(b) she was taller
(c) she was brave
(d) she had man like voice

Ans: (b) she was taller

38. Rosalind disguised herself as —
(a) country lad
(b) prince
(c) country lass
(d) princess

Ans: (a) country lad

39. Celia disguised herself as —
(a) country lass
(b) country lad
(c) princess
(d) prince

Ans: (a) country lass

40. Rosalind took the name —
(a) Ganymede
(b) Celia
(c) Cesario
(d) Aliena

Ans: (a) Ganymede

41. Celia took the name —
(a) Aliena
(b) Rosalind
(c) Ganymede
(d) Cesario

Ans: (a) Aliena

42. They went to the Forest of Arden —
(a) with an army
(b) in a carriage
(c) on horseback
(d) in disguise

Ans: (d) in disguise

43. The two girls pretended to be —
(a) monk and nun
(b) two brothers
(c) two sisters
(d) shepherd and shepherdess

Ans: (b) two brothers

44. Orlando was the younger son of-
(a) the banished duke
(b) Sir Rowland de Boys
(c) Adam
(d) the duke Frederick

Ans: (b) Sir Rowland de Boys

45. A snake twisted round Oliver’s-
(a) leg
(b) neck
(c) hand
(d) head

Ans: (b) neck