forest of arden is a imaginary place. When compared to the danger of court arden represents a colourful paradise
The Forest of Arden.
Arden forest?
In the Forest of Arden, which is sort of a fantasy place. As You Like It is by way of being a pastoral, the only one of Shakespeare's plays which is like that. There is a real forest of Arden not far from Stratford, but it is clear that Shakespeare was not thinking of setting this play in contemporary England.
The Forest of Arden is an imaginary forest in France. In Shakespeare's source the action takes place near the city of Bordeaux and the forest is called "Ardennes". There is such a forest in France, located on the border with Belgium, which was the site of a major battle in the Second World War. It is nowhere near Bordeaux. There is also a forest of Arden in England, although not much is left of it nowadays, which adjoined Stratford-on-Avon and which Shakespeare must have visited as he grew up. His mother's maiden name (Mary Arden) shows her descent from the ancient rulers of this forest.There can be no doubt that Shakespeare's experience with the Forest of Arden in England was his model for the various forests which appeared in his plays, including The Two Gentlemen of Verona and A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as As You Like It. As settings, they are all nominally different: a forest outside of Milan, a forest outside of Athens, and a forest in France. However they are all similar because they are all modeled on the same forest.
The Forest of Arden is the setting for most of the play. It represents nature unfettered by the evils of society. The notion of a natural, simple lifestyle being healthy and conducive to virtue was as popular in the 1590s as it was in the 1960s.
John Hannett has written: 'The forest of Arden'
Arden is probably of Latin origin, from the word "ardent" (fervent or enthusiastic) and is also defined as a expansive wooded area, such as Robin-hood's Sherwood Forest or the Forests of Arden in central England, for example, where enthusiastic communities might thrive. The British Forests of Arden were apparently home to the Knights Templar from 1162 until 1312, an ardent Order. Shakespeare set "As You Like It" in the Forests of Arden, The town of Arden, Delaware took its name from this play.
Ellen Arden's birth name is Ellen Weslyn Arden.
Jann Arden's birth name is Jann Arden Richards.
Arden Rhine's birth name is Arden Leigh Rhine.
Daniel Arden's birth name is Daniel Joseph Arden.
In "As You Like It," nature is portrayed as a place of harmony, truth, and freedom. Characters find solace and self-discovery in the Forest of Arden, where societal norms are subverted, revealing the true nature of individuals. Through the setting of the forest, Shakespeare explores the idea that nature can serve as a means of personal transformation and a refuge from the constraints of society.