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Home > English > Area of Study - Belonging > Belonging > As You Like It

As you like it
by William Shakespeare

This material was written by Melissa Giddins, Engadine High School

This play is one of the available prescribed texts for the Area of Study: Belonging. First, lets state the obvious: you have to read the play more than once. It is imperative that at HSC level you are reading each prescribed text a minimum of twice and preferably more. There are electronic versions of the play available online on many websites, including:

The complete works of Shakespeare <http://shakespeare.mit.edu/asyoulikeit/index.html >

Wikipedia has a page with some basic information on the play, including a little on context, synopses, characters list and a short exploration of the themes present in the play: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_You_Like_It

This resource is not designed to tell you everything you need to know about the play. It is however, going to assist you to more thoroughly understand the text that you have already read. If you have not yet read the play, drop everything, stop using this resource, and read the play!

There are some excellent websites with study guides and comprehension questions to make sure you have a thorough understanding of the events of the play. These include:

• http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/asyoulikeit/
• http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/asyoulikeit/
• http://www.enotes.com/ayli/
• http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xAsYou.html

It is time now to remind you that study guides are not a substitute for actually reading the play. While it can be tempting to just read a study guide, it will not assist you to have the thorough, detailed knowledge of the play that is essential for the HSC examination.

It is recommended that you attend a performance of the play if at all possible, as this assists you to understand the play as a performance piece and not just as words on the page. Bell Shakespeare Company performed the play in 2008 and there are some great resources on their website to assist you in further understanding the play, including podcasts of interviews with the actors and a student discussion board: http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/education

The Area of Study is about Belonging and not about As you like it and thus it is important that once you know the play well, you begin to look at it through the concept of belonging.

Not everyone learns in the same way and so there are a series of activities provided below that will help you to connect the concept with the play in a variety of ways. There is no recommendation to complete them all, though you should be looking at completing some or most of the activities in at least two or three of the learner types listed below.

Verbal/Linguistic learners: enjoy reading, writing and speaking.

1. List 10 adjectives and supporting quotes that describe one of the main characters in As you like it.
2. Write a newspaper article telling the story of the disappearance of the two girls from court, incorporating belonging as the main focus of the article.
3. Write an essay analysing how the play is a text about belonging.

Mathematical/Logical learners: enjoy working with numbers and science.

1. Create a flowchart of events in As you like it.
2. Complete a survey of your classmates as to how they feel they ‘belong’. Graph the results and present your conclusions.
3. Complete a survey of your classmates plus an equal number of a different generation (eg teachers, parents, etc) as to how they feel they ‘belong’. Compare the two age groups, graph the results and present your conclusions.

Visual/Spatial learners: enjoy painting, drawing and visualising.

1. Create a collage, piece of artwork or series of photographs that tells the story of As you like it.
2. Create a diagram that shows how As you like it is a text about belonging.
3. Create a collage, piece of artwork or series of photographs that represents belonging.
4. Create a picture book (children’s version) of As you like it.

Body/Kinaesthetic learners: enjoy doing hands-on activities, sports and dance.

1. Perform or give a dramatic reading of a scene from As you like it.
2. Role play a scene about belonging.
3. Choreograph and perform a dance that expresses the concept of belonging or the themes in As you like it.
4. Create a board game that explores the concept of belonging as it relates to As you like it and your own life.
5. Role play a contemporary version of a scene from As you like it that expresses the concept of belonging.

Musical learners: enjoy making and listening to music.

1. Find and learn or write a song that tells the story of As you like it or is about belonging.
2. Find and learn or write a song that could be used as the theme song for a movie version of As you like it.
3. Write a song that shows how As you like it is a text about belonging.
4. Write a song that reflects your personal response to the play and the concept of belonging.
5. Write a song that expresses belonging in your life, and links aspects of your life, As you like it and one other related text.

Interpersonal learners: enjoy working with others.

1. In a small group, discuss the concept of belonging and explore all the different ways a person can belong.
2. In pairs, select a scene from the play that involves two characters. Prepare a short reading whereby you use tone, pitch, volume and pace to demonstrate your emotions.

Intrapersonal learners: enjoy working by themselves.

1. Draw a mind map of how you ‘belong’ in the world.
2. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters in the play.
3. Write a reflective journal piece that explores the personal connections you have to the play and the concept of belonging.

Naturalist learners: enjoy caring for plants and animals.

1. Write a feature article about the special properties of the forest in As you like it.
2. Design a garden layout with the theme of belonging.
3. Create a table or diagram to show how ‘belonging’ is expressed in nature.