As They Liked It

As They Liked It: An Essay On Shakespeare And Morality is a literary analysis written by Alfred Harbage. The book examines the moral themes and values presented in the works of William Shakespeare, particularly in his plays. Harbage explores how Shakespeare's characters and their actions reflect the moral principles of the time period in which they were written, while also considering how these principles have evolved over time.The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different aspect of Shakespeare's moral philosophy. The first section examines the concept of justice in Shakespeare's plays, exploring how the playwright presents the idea of right and wrong and the consequences of one's actions. The second section delves into the theme of love and how it is portrayed in Shakespeare's works, particularly in relation to issues of morality and ethics.The third section of the book explores the idea of honor and how it is presented in Shakespeare's plays, particularly in relation to the social hierarchies of the time period. Finally, the fourth section considers Shakespeare's portrayal of mercy and forgiveness, examining how these concepts are presented in his works and what they reveal about his moral philosophy.Throughout the book, Harbage provides detailed analysis of specific scenes and characters from Shakespeare's plays, using these examples to illustrate his larger arguments about morality and ethics. As They Liked It is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of Shakespeare's moral philosophy, offering readers a deeper understanding of the playwright's complex and nuanced approach to these timeless themes.Chapters Include: Moral Stimulus, Moral Response, Paradoxes, Enigmas, The Unreliable Spokesman.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.