CHARLES They say he is already in the Forest of Arden, and a many merry men with him; and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England. They say many young gentlemen flock to him every day and fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world.
Robin Hood was a robber who thieved riches from the wealthy and gave them to people in need. He lived an unrestricted life in the Sherwood Forest (which had many caves) with his merry men and Maid Marian, doing as they pleased. In the notes of the book, it also mentions that he used to be a knight until his land was taken, and that he then lived in the Sherwood Forest for a time until he finally regained his land.
In his speech Charles compared Duke Senior and his faithful followers to Robin Hood and his merry men. Duke Senior is indeed like this. As I said in the sentence before, the men who follow Duke Senior into exile are his followers, just as the merry men are Robin Hood's followers. Also, his life in the forest was free, and so in a way was Duke Senior. In As You Like It, Act 2 Scene 1, he proclaims that life in the woods is freer of danger than in court (a comparison of city and country).
I also mentioned earlier that the Sherwood Forest was full of caves. While the Forest of Arden might not be so abundant in these rocky shelters, some are mentioned. For example, Orlando leaves Adam in a cave while he goes to look for food, and after Orlando saves Oliver, Orlando is taken to Oliver's cave where his wound is discovered.
Like Robin Hood, Duke Senior also was kicked off his land, the dukedom. He also went to the forest and lived there until he got his land back (when Duke Frederick was converted).
Either Charles has got both brains and brawn when he compares these two men, or Shakespeare is just doing some foreshadowing.
something that didnt make sense is what it meant
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