Disguised Devotion? Faith and Identity in As You Like It

William Shakespeare’s As You Like It is a beloved comedy filled with disguises, mistaken identities, and a playful exploration of gender roles. While the play delights audiences with its witty banter and romantic entanglements, it may also offer a deeper layer of meaning that resonates with the historical context of its creation.

Shakespeare wrote As You Like It during the Elizabethan era, a time of religious tension and change. The Protestant Reformation had swept across Europe, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and sparking religious conflicts. In England, the religious landscape was particularly volatile, with shifts in power leading to periods of persecution for those who did not conform to the established faith.

In As You Like It, the characters frequently adopt disguises to navigate the complexities of their social and romantic lives. Rosalind, the play’s heroine, disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede, allowing her to freely express her wit and intelligence in a world dominated by male authority.

This act of disguise could be seen as a metaphor for the way individuals might have concealed their religious beliefs during a time of religious persecution. Just as Rosalind hides her true identity to survive and thrive in the Forest of Arden, so too might individuals have hidden their faith to avoid persecution.

‘As You Like It’ a neon artwork by Hannah Underhill

The Forest of Arden, where much of the play’s action takes place, is often interpreted as a utopian space where traditional social hierarchies and gender roles are challenged. It can also be seen as a symbolic representation of a place of religious tolerance, where individuals can escape the oppressive forces of the outside world and practice their faith freely.

While it’s important to consider the historical context of As You Like It, it’s equally important to remember that Shakespeare’s plays are works of art that can be interpreted in many different ways. The gender confusion and disguises in the play can be seen as a playful exploration of identity, love, and the power of transformation.

Opening of Shakespeare’s play AS YOU LIKE IT as seen in the First Folio

There is an explicit consideration of a clergyman in the paly: Sir Oliver Martext, the vicar. His role is comedic, but his presence could be interpreted as a subtle critique of the institution of marriage and the role of the clergy. The scene where Touchstone and Audrey are about to be married by him is filled with humorous misunderstandings and awkwardness, suggesting that even within the church, there can be hypocrisy and a lack of sincerity. This could be seen as a reflection of the religious turmoil of the Reformation era, where the authority of the clergy was questioned and the purity of religious practices was debated.

While Sir Oliver Martext himself doesn’t represent a specific Reformation figure or idea, his characterization can be seen as a commentary on the broader social and religious context of the time.

Whether you view As You Like It as a commentary on the Reformation or simply as a delightful comedy, the play’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to spark thought and inspire imagination.