“As You Like It”

Written by: William Shakespeare

COSTUMES

This play was written during Shakespeare’s time and

should take place during the Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan era is sometimes referred to as the

golden age, and is named Elizabethan era because Queen Elizabeth I reigned during this time.

This period was also known as the English Renaissance. William Shakespeare and many other authors changed

many aspects of theatre with their writing during this time.

With costumes based from this era, the audience will get the idea that the play took place during this time.

Historical Period

Costumes are old-fashioned and look as if they

were from the 16th century Quite elegant for some characters, while others

are more worn out and more common to what normal people dressed like in the Elizabethan era.

During this time, many had money and were well dressed but there were also many who barely had enough to eat and were poorly dressed. This will be displayed among different characters

throughout the play

Style of Production

MAJOR

CHARACTERS

Rosalind is the daughter of Duke Senior and is wealthy

Being of High-class Rosalind should be well dressed in a formal dress in the beginning of the play

Being very strong-minded and very clever her outfits should resemble her personality

When Rosalind disguises herself as the young man “Ganymede”, of course her entire outfit changes This outfit should resemble more of what a typical man in

this era should wear on an ordinary basis At the end when Rosalind gets married, she again should

get dressed in a different costume This time wearing a white elegant gown of that time

Rosalind

Being of high-class, Orlando should be dressed

in a rather elegant outfit Have to consider that he is young and attractive

but isn’t cared for by his brother Oliver His outfit might be a little not put together

again considering he is young, and not really looking for the attention

Orlando

Was exiled from his throne by his brother,

Frederick. Being exiled into the forest his costume should

not be well put together and should be more worn out than others because he has been exiled for some time when the play begins

He is fair-minded and although his costume is quite worn-out, he stands confident of his being and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right.

Duke Senior

Should be torn and more messy with stains

Should also be torn and worn out to symbolize his exile in

the forest

A lord of Duke Senior who is also in exile with

him. Acts as a stock character in the play, and has

a melancholy disposition He judges other characters Should be attired in a less elegant way also

with worn out clothing like Duke Senior since he is also in exile with him.

Jaques

Also torn at the edges, with

stains

Is also of high class and should be dressed in

an elegant dress as Rosalind was, since she is the daughter of Duke Frederick.

When she is disguised as Aliena, her outfit changes into one that a simple shepherdess would wear. A less elegant dress

Celia

Duke Senior’s brother Very cruel and a horrible temper towards

everyone His costume should show his power and

strength over other characters, reflecting his volatile personality

Should be very elegant and distinctive, showing his selfish ways

Duke Frederick

Is a clown of Duke Frederick’s court Joins Rosalind and Celia as they runaway to

Ardenne Costume should resemble Touchstone’s funny

personality and should be very out there. Should resemble that of a clown and be colorful

as well

Touchstone

Is Orlando’s older brother Very demanding and ruthless towards his

brother Selfish and conceited

Costume should be quite elegant Is also young and attractive, his costume

should be intact resembling his conceited ways

Oliver

MINORCHARACTERS

Silvius is a young shepherd who is desperately in

love with Phoebe Phoebe is a young shepherdess who falls in love

with Ganymede, which we know is Rosalind in disguise

Rosalind being clever as usual, tricks Phoebe into marrying Silvius

Both Silvius and Phoebe should have regular looking costumes, not elegant. Something an ordinary shepherd and shepherdess would wear during that time

Silvius & Phoebe

Lord Amiens is another Lord of Duke Senior

who joins him in exile He is very joyous and loves to sing His jolly personality should be reflected in his

costume Charles is a wrestler so his costume should not

be well-fitted and should be pretty comfortable in order for Charles ability to move easily while wrestling

Lord Amiens & Charles

Should also be tornand worn out

Adam is the former servant of Sir Rowland de

Bois He joins Orlando in his exile, because he cares

for him and does not stand the hardships his brother Oliver is giving him

Corin is a shepherd who counsels Silvius in love

Costumes should be simple as they both act as characters without much wealth

Adam & Corin

Audrey is a very logical goatherd who agrees

to marry Touchstone She is very enthusiastic about getting married

and is simpleminded when it comes to thinking about love or everything in general

Costume should be simple as her character portrays and should not be elegant at all

William is a young boy who is in love with Audrey Costume should just be of an ordinary young

working boy during that time

Audrey & William

Country

More simple minded characters who are soft spoken Costumes should be lighter and not as dark

Open to new ideas from other characters Relaxed and free

Urban/City These characters are more oppressed and follow

rules Are less freely able to do what they want

Costumes are duller and less bright reflecting their governed ways

Contrasting Characters