The Nature of Romantic Love in Shakespeare’s As You Like It
The Nature of Romantic Love in Shakespeare’s As You Like It
The Shakespearean comedy As You Like It, discusses the nature of love through the stories of four couples that demonstrate a variety of love situations. All of the couples in As You Like It exhibit some elements of ridiculous infatuation as well as elements of genuine connection in their relationships. This makes it possible to view love on all accounts as either genuine or ridiculous. The reader is able to decide how they would like to view the love stories in the play. In particular, the relationship between Silvius and Phoebe demonstrates the options that the reader has in viewing the nature of love in As You Like It.
Silvius goes through a transformation of character, subtle as it may be. In the beginning, he is pining over Phoebe and seems to believe that his enduring the pain of her rejection is a reality of love. He acts desperately to try to win her over and forgets to respect himself in the process. When Phoebe has professed her love for Ganymede over him, he expresses that love is made of “sighs and tears” (V, ii, 88). Proving his foolish confusion of angst and infatuation with genuine love. But in his next sentence he says love is about “faith and service” (V, ii, 93). So while Silvius has some very misguided thoughts about love, he seems to have some real understanding of what it is. His true dedication and understanding of his emotions seems to suggest that he may be able to have a successful relationship, but he is certainly toeing the line of belief and delusion by refusing to let Phoebe go.
Phoebe presents a slightly more interesting transition than her partner. Phoebe adamantly refuses a well-suited prospect for no apparent reason. Silvius is clearly passionate about Phoebe. He is persistent and unrelenting; he does not doubt his own love. However, Phoebe loves Ganymede and has to deal with the disappointment of not being able to marry him. Through this, she may be able to relate to
The Shakespearean comedy As You Like It, discusses the nature of love through the stories of four couples that demonstrate a variety of love situations. All of the couples in As You Like It exhibit some elements of ridiculous infatuation as well as elements of genuine connection in their relationships. This makes it possible to view love on all accounts as either genuine or ridiculous. The reader is able to decide how they would like to view the love stories in the play. In particular, the relationship between Silvius and Phoebe demonstrates the options that the reader has in viewing the nature of love in As You Like It.
Silvius goes through a transformation of character, subtle as it may be. In the beginning, he is pining over Phoebe and seems to believe that his enduring the pain of her rejection is a reality of love. He acts desperately to try to win her over and forgets to respect himself in the process. When Phoebe has professed her love for Ganymede over him, he expresses that love is made of “sighs and tears” (V, ii, 88). Proving his foolish confusion of angst and infatuation with genuine love. But in his next sentence he says love is about “faith and service” (V, ii, 93). So while Silvius has some very misguided thoughts about love, he seems to have some real understanding of what it is. His true dedication and understanding of his emotions seems to suggest that he may be able to have a successful relationship, but he is certainly toeing the line of belief and delusion by refusing to let Phoebe go.
Phoebe presents a slightly more interesting transition than her partner. Phoebe adamantly refuses a well-suited prospect for no apparent reason. Silvius is clearly passionate about Phoebe. He is persistent and unrelenting; he does not doubt his own love. However, Phoebe loves Ganymede and has to deal with the disappointment of not being able to marry him. Through this, she may be able to relate to