Under the Green Wood Tree

Reference to the Context

Introduction

The lines given for explanation are an extract from the poem Under the Green Wood Tree which is the title of a song taken from the play, As You Like It written by William Shakespeare. The play tells the story of two brothers, the Elder Duke and the younger brother, Duke Frederick. The younger brother is very greedy, selfish and ambitious and wishes to usurp the dukedom. He forces the Elder Duke to go into exile and pass the rest of his life in the forest of Arden. The Elder Duke is accompanied by some his devoted companions and followers. Among them is Lord Amiens, who is gifted with a very sweet, melodious voice. The lines given for explanation are an extract from one of the songs sung by him. In this song, he desribes the pleasant and carefree life of the forest. He also extends an open invitation to anyone who wishes to join him in that cheerful surrounding. Such a person should be free from all worldly wishes, and should feel happy and contented to live in the open, natural environment. The only problem one has to face there is the harsh unbearable winter weather.

Lines

UNDER THE GREEN WOOD TREE
WHO LOVES TO LIE WITH ME,
AND TURN HIS MERRY NOTE
UNTO THE SWEET BIRD’S THROAT,
COME HITHER, COME HITHER, COME HITHER:
HERE SHALL HE SEE
NO ENEMY
BUT WINTER AND ROUGH WEATHER
Explanation

In these lines, the singer is giving an open invitation to any one who wishes to join him in the forest of Arden. The singer desires the newcomer to rest under the shady trees and sing a song in such a manner that his voice mingles with the sweet notes of the bird to produce one single harmony. The singer reminds that the life of the forest is free from all enmity and petty rivalries. The only snag in the life of the forest is the unpleasant and unbearable winter wind. If one is brave and willing enough to endure the harshness of the weather, the life of the forest is almost an ideal one.

Lines

WHO DOTH AMBITION SHUN,
AND LOVES TO LIVE I’ THE SUN,
SEEKING THE FOOD HE EATS,
AND PLEASED WITH WHAT HE GETS-
COME HITHER, COME HITHER, COME HITHER,
HERE SHALL HE SEE
NO ENEMY
BUT WINTER AND ROUGH WEATHER
Explanation

In the lines given for contextual explanation, the singer is laying down certain conditions to be fulfilled by one who wishes to come and pass his life in the forest of Arden. In the first place, such a person should have no worldly wishes. He should not be materialistic in his approach and should never run after fame, wealth, power and glory. He should be willing to pass his life in the open atmosphere under the bright sun. He should look for his own sustenance and nourishment and should be contented with whatever he gets to eat. The singer reiterates that the life of the forest is free from all anxieties, problems and difficulties except the unpleasantness of the chilly winter weather.