Elle Angeles
The biggest room is the room for improvement
Never Say Never
Believe
Where is your character?
Second Lord to Duke Senior:
Originally, my character lived in the clubhouse with his brother Duke Frederick, but he has been banished to live in the Forest of Arden.
Originally, I believe that the clubhouse in which my character previously used to live would've been a posh and well-presented place to live, where they are in the best of conditions.
However, as my character has now been banished to the Forest of Arden, I imagine that there is a sense of freedom, in which the clubhouse wouldn't have had.
Despite this, because of the total freedom, there is also a chance for any criminals to enter the 'Forest of Arden', so at all times there is a sense of danger in which my character and the other characters have to always be aware of, making them alert at all times. For example, when 'Jacques' comes to our camp in the forest, we instantly gather our golf clubs and prepare to defend ourselves from any unwanted guests, however, it turns out he is just there to inform us about a 'motley fool', and again when we hear of a fool we prepare to defend ourselves.
Our camp is much more friendlier towards other characters, for example when 'Adam' joins us, we look after him and allow him and 'Orlando' to share our food around the campfire, so instantly I believe that the mood is usually uplifted when around us in the Forest of Arden.
First Page:
First page lives in the 'Forest of Arden'. The mood of the forest gives a sense of freedom for my character in which she enjoys. The atmosphere is always happy for First Page, as she and the Second page are always willing to welcome new guests with a song. My character feels free-spirited in this forest, and wouldn't like to be in the court or clubhouse because there is a lack of choice and freedom.
When Touchstone enters the 'Forest of Arden', the mood goes down slightly, as he says that we have wasted his time by singing such a song, however, that doesn't stop the happiness from First and Second Page from showing through.
Who is Your Character?
Second Lord to Duke Senior:
Second Lord to Duke Senior is a trustworthy character who works alongside Lord Senior. The evidence being in his name 'Lord to Duke Senior'.
My character is supposed to represent 'Duke Senior' in a well presented manner. A quote that support this fact is 'We did, my lord...'. This supports the fact that my character is alongside 'Duke Senior' because, he is always informing 'Duke Senior' about what is going on around them.
My character acts very suspicious towards other characters in the forest because, obviously anyone would be quite suspicious if there are any intruders of strangers in a forest that they've been in for a while, therefore my character is very protective of 'Duke Senior' when other people such as 'Jacques' and 'Orlando' enter the 'Forest of Arden'.
On the outside of my character he portrays an upper class character who has been living in the forest for a long time, therefore he portrays a brave adventure man yet remains high in status as he is originally from the clubhouse. In this case, my character must have great posture and stand tall.
From my characters point of view, Id believe that he thinks of himself as a strong, tough, brave person, however from the audiences point of view, they may see him as a follower because, he is always a follower of 'Duke Senior'. Despite this, my character see's his loyal ways as making his a trustworthy person.
My character socialises mainly with 'Duke Senior', 'Second Lord to Duke Senior', 'Jacques', 'Orlando', and 'Adam'. Anyone that 'Duke Senior' socialises with, 'First Lord' and my character are given the heads up to be able to converse with them. In 'As you Like It' there is a part where 'Jacques' comes across us in the forest and we all converse with him and feel sorry for him as he has been distraught by the sight of a 'weeping deer'.
Overall, I believe that my character is a brave and bold person, he is very adventurous yet upper-class and this gives me an idea of what my characters voice and physicality would be like.
My character's characteristics are in some ways similar because 'Second Lord to Duke Senior' has become a more free character whilst living in the 'Arden Forest', however in the end they do all go back to the court. Therefore, I have to be able to portray through my character elements of untrustworthy towards other characters when they are nearby, purely because of the fact that I want to acknowledge my character's background/past/history, as I believe that they were quite protective when newcomers approach Duke Senior or any of his people. I will show my characters defensive side through the choice of actions that my character makes, for example, in the forest when they are having a picnic with 'Jacques', 'Orlando' comes by to join us and we instantly gather our weapons ready.
Keeping that in mind, my character has now let go of some elements of the past and almost let go of the hierarchy status they once had when living in the city.
Relating all of my character's history and the current events going on in the play, I've gathered several characteristics of what I think 'Second Lord to Duke Senior' is:
Trustworthy; because he always sticks by the First Lord to Duke Senior and Duke Senior's side, Honest; because at one point in the Forest of Arden, he states 'Tis just the fashion wherefore do you look upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?', Brave; as he is willing to stay in the forest alongside Duke Senior where there are many criminals around, Sympathetic; because he believes that it is not right to kill an animal in their own habitat, and Reliable; as he always delivers news to Duke Senior to keep him informed.
Furthermore, my other character 'First Page' I imagine has been in the forest for years as they're so free and happy, therefore the characteristics I gave 'First page' were: Polite; because he says 'Well met honest Gentlemen', this shows that he is polite towards newcomers in the forest, Happy; because he believes that the only bad voice is when someone is not singing Free-spirited; as he's been living in the forest for a long time, therefore I believe that they're open-minded characters, musical; as they love singing ('Shall we clap into't roundly...') and expressive!
Writing 4 facts about my character was extremely helpful because it allowed me to be able to see the objectives and thoughts of my character. From doing this I understand my character much more, and also the 'As You Like It' text!
Finding out these facts about other characters was a great exercise because the whole play is based on the relationships between the characters, and how they react with each other.
Another way to help me find out my character's super objectives was to give each scene a unit, and to also annotate the script so I'd understand it in simpler language, helping me to understand the goals of my character.
Doing this also gave me an idea of what actions I might use to go along with my speeches.
