What Shakespeare’s Unseen Dad Teaches Us About A Lasting Influence
Father’s Day is being celebrated in the UK this Sunday (15 June, 2025 – dates are not the same globally), and many of us will be celebrating the incredible dads in our lives.
As we consider the profound impact of fathers, our thoughts are particularly drawn to a figure from Shakespeare’s As You Like It: Old Sir Rowland de Boys. It is interesting to notice that ‘father’ is one of the most used words in that paly (48 times; love is used over 160 times).
This character, while never seen on stage, profoundly shapes the lives of his sons, Oliver and Orlando, as seen in Adam’s heartfelt reflection directed at Orlando:
“…O you memory
Of old Sir Rowland! why, what make you here?
Why are you virtuous? why do people love you?
And wherefore are you gentle, strong and valiant?
…
Know you not, master, to some kind of men
Their graces serve them but as enemies?
No more do yours”
At Soulton, in particular, the name “Sir Rowland” resonates deeply. It brings to mind our own historical Sir Rowland Hill, a man often considered a kind of national godfather to Tudor England, despite never having had children of his own. Indeed, there are compelling reasons to believe he served as the real-world inspiration for the Old Sir Rowland of the play.
Unknown Man, by Hans Holbein the Younger — is this Rowland Hill?
This connection highlights that fatherhood extends beyond biological ties, as the play itself states:
“My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul,
And all the world was of my father’s mind”
Shakespeare’s Old Sir Rowland, though absent, left an indelible mark. His legacy provides a powerful lesson about fatherhood: it’s not just about financial support or physical presence. Old Sir Rowland was a man of “many good parts,” highly esteemed, and a loyal friend to Duke Senior. His goodness, even in absence, serves as a moral pattern for Orlando, who constantly strives to live up to his father’s honourable name.
‘Old Sir Rowland’: Publisher of the Geneva Bible and insiration for AS YOU LIKE IT
Orlando fiercely defends this legacy:
“I am no villain; I am the youngest son of Sir
Rowland de Boys; he was my father, and he is thrice
a villain that says such a father begot villains.”
This enduring influence underscores a crucial aspect of fatherhood: it’s about imparting values, instilling integrity, and setting an example.
It’s about being that unwavering moral lamp that helps us navigate life’s complexities, even when a father figure isn’t physically by our side. Sometimes, the greatest influence a father has isn’t through grand gestures, but through the quiet, consistent demonstration of who they are. It’s in the lessons they teach, the resilience they model, and the unconditional love they offer. These are the things that become woven into the fabric of our being, guiding us long after childhood.
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As we reflect on these powerful connections, it’s important to remember that Father’s Day can stir a mix of emotions for many. For those who are fathers, perhaps through birth, adoption, or mentorship, it’s a day to celebrate the immense joy and responsibility of that role.
However, for others, this day can be tinged with sadness or longing.
Some may be grieving the loss of a father who is no longer with them, cherishing memories while navigating their absence. Some men may feel a quiet ache, as they desire to be fathers but haven’t had the opportunity yet. Others might reflect on a father’s influence they wished they had, perhaps due to circumstances, distance, or a relationship that never fully bloomed. And some may acknowledge fathers who, for various reasons, couldn’t or didn’t provide that guiding presence.
No matter your personal experience, the spirit of Father’s Day offers a moment to acknowledge the diverse ways father figures, or their absence, shape our lives. For just like Old Sir Rowland, the idea of a father’s legacy—be it cherished, longed for, or reflected upon—truly leaves an indelible mark.
Who are the “Old Sir Rowlands” in your life?
Whose influence are we reflecting on this Father’s Day?
