The Wilderness: Viewpoint in Nature as a Projection of Success
In William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, a series of betrayals and unfortunate events leads up to the main characters all being placed somewhere within the forest of Arden. As the play unfolds, the theme of “power” and, more specifically, who holds this power becomes prominent in determining the outcome of each character. Similarly, Ann Radcliffe’s A Sicilian Romance introduces readers to the characters, Duke de Luovo and Madame Menon, who both spend a portion of the novel in search of Lady Julia. In both texts, the way in which each character views their respective environments determines the success of each character. In this essay, I explore the notion that in the wilderness, …show more content…
He threatens the group by declaring, “He dies that touches any of this fruit till I and my affairs are answered… I almost die for food – and let me have it.” (Shakespeare 224) In Orlando’s mind, he holds the power in this situation – he sees anyone in the forest as nothing more than something savage that the “uncouth forest” (Shakespeare 215) has yielded. Orlando sees nature, and, by association, anyone living in it as simply the flora and fauna around him. His view towards nature matches the anthropocentric definition of “nature” examined by Raymond Williams in his article entitled “Keywords”. (Williams 219) To his surprise, Orlando does not receive food upon issuing his command. Rather, he finds himself being challenged (not physically) by Duke Senior and his followers. They question Orlando’s aggression and rudeness, without handing over food. By having these characters do so, Shakespeare uses them to reveal to Orlando his own insignificance and lack of power over the situation (224). This scene displays the shift in power from man to nature. One could argue that the Duke should not be considered part of “nature”, as he used to live in court just as Orlando did. However, both Orlando and the Duke himself associate the exiled group as part of the wilderness. Upon banishment, Duke Senior says to his followers, dressed as foresters, “Hath not old custom made this life
In William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, a series of betrayals and unfortunate events leads up to the main characters all being placed somewhere within the forest of Arden. As the play unfolds, the theme of “power” and, more specifically, who holds this power becomes prominent in determining the outcome of each character. Similarly, Ann Radcliffe’s A Sicilian Romance introduces readers to the characters, Duke de Luovo and Madame Menon, who both spend a portion of the novel in search of Lady Julia. In both texts, the way in which each character views their respective environments determines the success of each character. In this essay, I explore the notion that in the wilderness, …show more content…
He threatens the group by declaring, “He dies that touches any of this fruit till I and my affairs are answered… I almost die for food – and let me have it.” (Shakespeare 224) In Orlando’s mind, he holds the power in this situation – he sees anyone in the forest as nothing more than something savage that the “uncouth forest” (Shakespeare 215) has yielded. Orlando sees nature, and, by association, anyone living in it as simply the flora and fauna around him. His view towards nature matches the anthropocentric definition of “nature” examined by Raymond Williams in his article entitled “Keywords”. (Williams 219) To his surprise, Orlando does not receive food upon issuing his command. Rather, he finds himself being challenged (not physically) by Duke Senior and his followers. They question Orlando’s aggression and rudeness, without handing over food. By having these characters do so, Shakespeare uses them to reveal to Orlando his own insignificance and lack of power over the situation (224). This scene displays the shift in power from man to nature. One could argue that the Duke should not be considered part of “nature”, as he used to live in court just as Orlando did. However, both Orlando and the Duke himself associate the exiled group as part of the wilderness. Upon banishment, Duke Senior says to his followers, dressed as foresters, “Hath not old custom made this life