(a) Background information and questions In the comedy As You Like It, Celia and her cousin Rosalind are as close as sisters. Rosalind is the daughter of Duke Senior, whose throne has been usurped (taken by force) by his brother, Frederick. Frederick, Celia’s father, has banished Duke Senior, along with a band of his faithful followers, to the Forest of Arden to live the life of simple foresters. Until now, it is only the strong bond between Rosalind and Celia that prevents Duke Frederick from sending Rosalind away to share her father’s exile. In the extract which follows, Frederick storms into the palace, accuses Rosalind of plotting against him, and, despite Celia’s pleas for her cousin, banishes Rosalind.
A production of As You Like It showing Celia and Rosalind, staged at Shakespeare’s Globe Teatre. Te following questions on the background information should be answered as briefly as possible. ?
1. How are Celia and Rosalind related to each other? _________________ 2. How are Frederick and Rosalind related to each other? _____________ 3. Who has usurped the throne of Duke Senior? _____________________ 4. Where is Rosalind when she hears about her banishment? __________ 5. What two settings are mentioned? _______________________________