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.
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REFERENCE , CONTEXT AND EXPLANATION OF

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE

Introduction

The lines given for explanation are an extract from the poem Under the Green Wood Tree which is the title of a song taken from the play, As You Like It written by William Shakespeare. The play tells the story of two brothers, the Elder Duke and the younger brother, Duke Frederick. The younger brother is very greedy, selfish and ambitious and wishes to usurp the dukedom. He forces the Elder Duke to go into exile and pass the rest of his life in the forest of Arden. The Elder Duke is accompanied by some his devoted companions and followers. Among them is Lord Amiens, who is gifted with a very sweet, melodious voice. The lines given for explanation are an extract from one of the songs sung by him. In this song, he describes the pleasant and carefree life of the forest. He also extends an open invitation to anyone who wishes to join him in that cheerful surrounding. Such a person should be free from all worldly wishes, and should feel happy and contented to live in the open, natural environment. The only problem one has to face there is the harsh unbearable winter weather.

Lines

UNDER THE GREEN WOOD 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

Explanation

In these lines, the singer is giving an open invitation to any one who wishes to join him in the forest of Arden. The singer desires the newcomer to rest under the shady trees and sing a song in such a manner that his voice mingles with the sweet notes of the bird to produce one single harmony. The singer reminds that the life of the forest is free from all enmity and petty rivalries. The only snag in the life of the forest is the unpleasant and unbearable winter wind. If one is brave and willing enough to endure the harshness of the weather, the life of the forest is almost an ideal one.

Lines

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

Explanation

In the lines given for contextual explanation, the singer is laying down certain conditions to be fulfilled by one who wishes to come and pass his life in the forest of Arden. In the first place, such a person should have no worldly wishes. He should not be materialistic in his approach and should never run after fame, wealth, power and glory. He should be willing to pass his life in the open atmosphere under the bright sun. He should look for his own sustenance and nourishment and should be contented with whatever he gets to eat. The singer reiterates that the life of the forest is free from all anxieties, problems and difficulties except the unpleasantness of the chilly winter weather.