As You Like It Characters
R
Rosalind
Protagonist
Also known as: Ganymede
Brave
Witty
Resourceful
Loving
Daughter of Duke Senior and the heroine of the story. She is the beloved of Orlando and disguises herself as Ganymede throughout much of the narrative. Her cleverness and courage drive the central plot.
O
Orlando
Supporting
Heroic
Loving
Loyal
Courageous
The hero of the story and lover of Rosalind. He is the son of Sir Rowland de Boys and brother of Oliver and Jaques de Boys. His devotion to Rosalind forms the romantic core of the narrative.
O
Oliver
Antagonist
Cruel
Jealous
Possessive
Eldest
The eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys and brother of Orlando and Jaques de Boys. He serves as the antagonist in the first half of the story due to his cruelty toward Orlando. He later becomes the lover of Celia.
C
Celia
Supporting
Also known as: Aliena
Loyal
Loving
Supportive
Brave
Daughter of Duke Frederick and Rosalind's closest friend and cousin. She disguises herself as Aliena and accompanies Rosalind into exile. She becomes the beloved of Oliver.
DS
Duke Senior
Supporting
Wise
Patient
Noble
Philosophical
Rosalind's father and the original ruler, exiled to the Forest of Arden by his younger brother Duke Frederick. He is the elder brother of Duke Frederick and leads a reflective life in exile surrounded by loyal lords.
DF
Duke Frederick
Antagonist
Tyrannical
Usurping
Ruthless
Impulsive
The younger brother of Duke Senior and father of Celia, he serves as the main antagonist having seized power from his brother. He undergoes a dramatic transformation at the end of the story, becoming a religious person.
J
Jaques
Supporting
Melancholic
Philosophical
Cynical
Witty
A melancholic lord serving Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden. He is famous for delivering the 'All the world's a stage' speech, which outlines the seven stages of human life. His brooding philosophical nature sets him apart from the other characters.
T
Touchstone
Minor
Humorous
Witty
Satirical
Clever
The clown of Duke Frederick's court and lover of Audrey. He provides comic relief throughout the story while also offering sharp satirical observations about the world around him.
A
Audrey
Minor
Simple
Trusting
Naive
Humble
A country girl and the beloved of Touchstone. She is simple in nature and overly trusting, serving as a comic counterpart to the more sophisticated characters in the story.
W
William
Minor
Simple
Honest
Humble
Good-natured
A country fellow who is simple and honest. He is in love with Audrey but ultimately loses her to Touchstone.
S
Silvius
Minor
Devoted
Romantic
Persistent
Gentle
A village shepherd who falls deeply in love with Phoebe. His unrequited devotion to Phoebe makes him a figure of idealistic and long-suffering romance.
P
Phoebe
Minor
Self-centered
Proud
Disdainful
Romantic
A shepherdess who rejects Silvius and instead falls in love with Ganymede, who is actually Rosalind in disguise. She is self-centered and ultimately becomes the beloved of Silvius.
LA
Lord Amiens
Minor
Musical
Compassionate
Loyal
Gentle
A lord in the Forest of Arden who is loyal to Duke Senior. He is noted for his musical talent and compassionate nature, contributing to the harmonious atmosphere of the exiled court.
C
Charles
Minor
Aggressive
Brutal
Antagonistic
Powerful
A professional wrestler who acts as an antagonist in the early part of the story. He is aggressive and brutal, serving as a physical obstacle that Orlando must overcome.
SR
Sir Rowland de Boys
Symbolic
Virtuous
Honorable
Noble
Reputable
The deceased father of Oliver, Orlando, and Jaques de Boys. Though he does not appear directly in the story, his reputation as a virtuous and honorable nobleman casts a long shadow over the lives of his sons.
JD
Jaques de Boys
Minor
Informative
Loyal
Dutiful
Calm
The middle brother of Orlando and Oliver. He plays a minor but important role by informing Duke Senior of Duke Frederick's religious conversion at the end of the story.
C
Corin
Minor
Humble
Simple
Content
Wise
A simple and kind old shepherd who serves as a symbol of the natural world. He embodies the virtues of pastoral life and provides grounded, realistic wisdom throughout the story.