CLASS XI ENGLISH NOTES

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION TO THE POET:

                                                             William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was not only the greatest dramatist in the world of literature but also a renowned odor , and this view of the world as a stage and the most distinguished  poet of Elizabethan period. Although he received a little classic education yet the language of his plays shows that he was well-grounded in Latin and Greek.Shakespeare's genius was fully recognized by his contemporaries.He was really a wonderful poetic craftsman and if you simply speak out his words with a full sense of their meaning and spirit everything will come right.

BACKGROUND OF THE POEM:

                                                          This poem is lyrical charming song taken from his delightful comedy " As You Like It".It occurs in Act II and scene V in it.This short song is sung by Lord Amiens who is attending on the banished Duke,whose dominions have been usurped by his wicked brother Fredrick,as a result of the court intrigues. Lord Amiens praises the forest life.



SUMMARY:
                       In this short song Lord Amiens invites people to spend a very simple life , happy and peaceful life with him in the forest.He praises forest life and says that life in the forest is free and full of pleasures.One can sing a song in the harmony of sweet songs of the birds and may enjoy himself under the green trees.
                                                  Lord prefers the forest life o the court life,because there is no enemy in the forest except winter and rough weather which may cause some trouble, but such things are endurable.If one is not ambitious and wants to live in the open air he may enjoy the forest life.He will have to hunt his own food and be satisfied with what he get.
 He invites people again and again.