Act 2 Scene 1 is our introduction to the forest of Arden and the banished Duke Senior. It lies between scenes which illustrate the corruption of the court, the stress of court life, and the aggressive, merciless character of the "angry Duke". In such a position it is perfectly placed to emphasise the contrast between the fickleness of court life and the honesty and simple joy of country life. This contrast forms the essence of the 'pastoral' …showed first 75 words of 727 total…

…showed last 75 words of 727 total…myself did steal behind him"). Perhaps if the Duke really has received lessons in simplicity and purity from the forest, he would not find it necessary to justify the "penalty of Adam", but would simply settle to a life of honest work and acceptance. Similarly, if Jacques really understood the dynamics of the forest, he might see that for men to hunt deer for food is entirely natural, and he too would live in acceptance.