Shakespeare’s As You Like It opens in a court rife with danger and unhappiness. We see fights, usurpation, betrayal, and general discord. Orlando faces his brother’s murderous plot, and is already alarmingly deeply depressed.
Forced to flee this chaotic world, the play’s sympathetic characters find refuge in the Forest of Arden.
The forest becomes a place of celebration and restored harmony, a stark contrast to the court’s disorder. The play culminates in a joyous scene with four weddings and a celebratory dance overseen by Hymen, the god of marriage. This marks the ultimate restoration of order, as most of the exiled characters return to the court and reclaim their former positions.
The Soulton Dancing Pavement, showing The Dance, which features in AS YOU LIKE IT
The depiction of this circle, including the box step and Do-si-do, on the dancing pavement at Soulton Hall resonates with this theme of harmony.
The Dance embodies mathematical harmonies and a sophisticated understanding of geometry, reflecting ideas central to the Renaissance worldview. These concepts were not only of great importance to Renaissance thinkers but also resonated with the cultures from which they drew inspiration.
Indeed, armony’s recovery, and the quiet enjoyment of love in a respectful community (away from political mess and maltreatment), is the main concern of the play.
Given the play’s association with one of Shakespeare’s happiest love stories, weddings held at Soulton Hall take on an added layer of joy and meaning.
