As You Like It

As You Like It

As You Like It –possible Belonging thesis statements

In Shakespeare’s As You Like It one’s inability to understand their own identity and the difference of others can lead to exclusion and alienation.

Related: Catcher in the Rye, Christina Rossetti poem Repining, Elizabeth Bishop poem Brazil, The Tourist as theorist 1986-Zahalka painting, Futago painting by Morimura, Gordon Bennett’s self portrait (but I always wanted to be one of the good guys).

In Shakespeare’s As you Like It it can be seen how one may need to sacrifice their identity in order to achieve understanding and inclusion.

Related text: The Belonging Kind, The Shy Guy, Cindy Sherman art, Frida Khalo, Futago painting by Morimura, Gordon Bennett’s self portrait (but I always wanted to be one of the good guys).

Shakespeare’s As You Like shows us that an introspective alienation from others is necessary in order to belong. Only once one is alienated from their society can they reconnect with it.

Related texts:

Title
‘As You Like it’.
Even though the title implies a singular ideology, it suggests that we
need our own self-identity and fulfillment to be part of a larger group. It can also suggest that in order for humanity to function in harmony, we need to understand and accept others beliefs and opinions.

In Shakespeare’s As You Like It one’s inability to understand their own identity and the difference of others can lead to exclusion and alienation.

Orlando:‘Stays me here at home unkempt –for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth’ dislocated syntax highlights his anger and disappointment at being excluded from what is rightfully his.

‘Orlando “The courtesy of nations allows you my better in that you are the first-born, but the same tradition takes not away my blood.’’ The litote emphasizes the importance of connections and belonging to family for Orlando. It gives him a sense of identity and certainty.

Oliver: [Raising his hand] What boy! Stage directions...