What successive impressions do we get of Portia from what Bassanio says of her in I, 1? from her conversation with Nerissa in I, 2? from her manner and language toward the unsuccessful suitors? from her bearing toward Bassanio? from her planning to relieve Antonio and the successful carrying out of her plans? and lastly from her part in the ring episode? FORM.--What is the meter of the play? Name several variations from the normal line, in number of syllables, position of the accented syllables, and in the position of the pauses. Find several passages that are worth memorizing because of their thought (for example, III, 2, 73-107), others like V, 1, 54-65, because of poetic fancy. Distinguish between tragedy and comedy and tell how this play should be classified. How is this play like Shakespeare's latest plays, the Romances? (See _Merchant of Venice_, p. 14.) THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE AUTHOR.--What few facts about Shakespeare's life have been established beyond doubt? What others have we good reason to infer? Give a brief account of the theater as Shakespeare knew it. Into what four periods may we divide Shakespeare's work? (See Dowden's _A Primer of Shakespeare_, or Stopford Brooke's _Primer of English Literature_.) Under which period does _The Merchant of Venice_ fall? OUTLINE FOR THE STUDY OF AS YOU LIKE IT I. Preparation _As You Like It_ differs greatly from _The Merchant of Venice_ and _Macbeth_ in its appeal to the mind. To the lover of literature it is one of the most delightful of all Shakespeare's plays; but its interest is primarily æsthetic, not intellectual. For this reason it is extremely difficult to devise any satisfactory plan of study. The enthusiastic teacher will find ways of imparting enthusiasm to his pupils, but he cannot tell how he does it. If this is not the first of Shakespeare's plays for the class to study, a review of what they have previously learned about the author and his work will make a good beginning; otherwise the best introduction is the reading of the play. II. First Reading _As You Like It_ is one of the plays that best repays oral reading, therefore the finest passages, at least, should be read aloud. But the chief purpose of the first reading is to get a clear idea of the development of the story. To this end the student should understand the purpose of each act and the relation of the scenes to one another. III. Second Reading and Study Attention should now be given to the explanation of unusual words and constructions, to the interpretation of important passages, to the study of plot and character, and to memorizing the best passages. IV. Study of the Play as a Whole SETTING AND SITUATION.--What sort of place is the Forest of Arden? Does it seem attractive? Why? Describe the life that the natives lead. Contrast the life of the Duke, Rosalind, Celia, and their friends in the forest with the life at court.