Under the Greenwood Tree by Monir Hossen

HSC Level

1. Welcome to this Class

2. Song: “Under the Greenwood Tree” B y William Shakespeare

3. Conducted By: Monir Hossen BA Honours , MA in English Literature Department of English Comilla University Email: [email protected] E

4. Introduction: William Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists of the world. He is considered as a master of art and his art of characterization is truly unique that no other dramatist in the word has achieved such high position in world literature. He has a keen observation of life and he portrayed his characters which is more lively and efficient in all ages. He is not of his own age but he is of all ages. As You Like It is truly a fantastic Pastoral Comedy of William Shakespeare where the rural and courtly setting are past together. This song “Under the Greenwood Tree” is a song taken from the this famous play As You Like It . Here the dramatist set the forest scene in the Forest of Arden where romance is everywhere.

5. Biography of William Shakespeare Name : William Shakespeare Occupation : Poet, Playwright, Philosopher. Birth Date : April 23, 1564 Death Date : April 23, 1616 Education : King's New School Place of Birth : Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom Place of Death : Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom Nickname : "Bard of Avon“ "Swan of Avon” "The Bard“ Works : Poem (154 Sonnets) & Drama: 37 Plays

6. William Shakespeare( 1564-1616)

7. Elizabethan Era Features of the Era Queen Elizabeth Elizabethan period is the golden age of literature. This is the age of renaissance in Europe. There two groups in Religion Protestants and Catholics Anglicanism establishing Emphasis on humanity University wits writes under this era.

8. Original Identity of As You Like It Full title : As You Like It Author : William Shakespeare Type of work : Play Genre : Pastoral Romantic Comedy Language : English Written : in 1599 Performed : Wilton House in 1603 Published : First Folio , 1623 Age : The Renaissance

9. Song: “Under the greenwood tree” By William Shakespeare Under the greenwood tree Who loves to lie with me, And turn his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat, Come hither, come hither, come hither:             Here shall he see             No enemy But winter and rough weather.

10. Continued Who doth ambition shun And loves to live i ' the sun, Seeking the food he eats, And pleased with what he gets, Come hither, come hither, come hither:             Here shall he see             No enemy But winter and rough weather.

11. Forest of Arden

12. Summary of the Poem In the first section, Amiens, a courtier, sings. This bit of pastoral song celebrates (or mocks) the (supposed) happiness of living in nature under the greenwood tree, listening to cheery song of a bird. In this verse, Amiens calls the people who share his sentiments to join him: "come hither." The key word in this part of the song is "lie," which in typical Shakespearean punning fashion can be interpreted two ways. It means either "lie" as in "lie down with me under the greenwood tree," or it means lie, as in "join me in this falsehood about how cheery it is under the greenwood tree.“ In the second part, people do join him in singing. In this section, the group celebrates the joys of the pastoral life: in the forest, people do not pursue ambition, but instead appreciate life in nature and are satisfied with what food they can get. Unlike in the court, there are no enemies here. 

13. Critical Analysis of the Poem: This poem is one of the most famous songs of William Shakespeare from his pastoral romantic comedy As You Like It where he explains the romantic view of human mind along with the aspects of nature. Here the poet says that nature is truly fascinating to the human being. It starts with a beautiful description of nature. It invites people to spend a very simple, happy and peaceful life in the forest. The poet praises forest life as it is full of pleasure. One can sing a joyful sing here in harmony with the sweet song of the birds. There is no enemy except the winter and rough weather. One can live in the open sky and must be pleased with what he gets.

14. Conclusion: In conclusion, we can say Shakespeare’s song is the new innovation in the play. under the renaissance period he wrote plays and poem which are truly vivid in the modern world too. Actually, the song is the burning example of his ideology and philosophy. He tries to show the real picture of the present ultra modern world of Competition and Exploration as well as the real scenario of the present urban life. He welcomes the city people to the forest of Arden where peace is everywhere. Moreover, this song also shows us that city life is more complicated and more difficult where the rural life is full of happiness and joy.

15. Thank You