As You Like It (Audio)

This pastoral delight follows the amorous affairs of the banished Rosalind, who takes refuge in the Forest of Arden disguised as a young man. She falls in love with Orlando, but her disguise complicates matters, especially when Rosalind unwittingly attracts the shepherdess Phebe.

Rosalind then woos Orlando by teaching him to court her.

The story starts off with Duke Frederick, who has banished his brother, Duke Senior, into the Forest of Arden, thereby usurping the kingdom.

In his exile, Duke Senior has found a humble life of merriment with his court. Following a wrestling match, Duke Frederick also banishes Orlando (son of the late Sir Roland de Boys) and Rosalind (daughter of Duke Senior) into the forest.

At the match, the two have fallen into love at first sight.

Soon, Orlando and Rosalind are welcomed into the merry life of banished Duke Senior.

Orlando, however, is lovesick for Rosalind, and Rosalind (still disguised as a boy) decides to cure Orlando of his lovesickness.

While counseling him in the ways of true love, Rosalind finds herself falling deeper in love with Orlando. Meanwhile, Celia has fallen in love with Orlando's brother, Oliver.

The two decide to get married the next day. Even witty Touchstone has fallen in love with a dull-witted goatherd girl, Audrey. In the final scene, and after many hilarious mixups, all romantic entanglements are resolved by marriage; and after a sudden religious conversion, Duke Frederick returns the throne to his brother -thereby righting all wrongs and uniting all couples by love and happiness.

As You Like It is an important work of William Shakespeare, and is highly recommended for fans of his works as well as those discovering his plays for the first time.