As You Like It: Character Profiles

Duke Frederick: The younger brother to Duke Senior, Duke Frederick is a ruthless and cruel leader who usurped his brother’s dukedom.
Celia: The loving, loyal daughter of Duke Frederick, Celia is more gentle and peaceful than her father and closely devoted to her cousin, Rosalind.
Touchstone: The court fool, Touchstone, brings humour and wit to the play, often voicing harsh truths under the guise of jesting.
Le Beau: A foppish courtier of Duke Frederick, Le Beau offers commentary on the events happening at the court.
Charles: Charles, a loyal wrestler to Duke Frederick, is defeated by Orlando de Boys, which sparks the initial tension in the story.
Duke Senior: Usurped of his dukedom by his younger brother, Duke Senior lives in the Forest of Ardenne providing a spiritual and equalitarian leadership in exile.
Rosalind: Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, is the play’s heroine who disguises herself as a young man to escape her uncle’s court, and falls in love with Orlando.
Jaques: A melancholic member of Duke Senior’s group in the forest, Jaques provides a philosophical perspective on life and humanity.
Amiens: A faithful friend and follower of Duke Senior, Amiens is a loyal and kind-hearted character who often sings songs about life in the forest.
Oliver de Bois: The cruel, older brother to Orlando and Jacques, Oliver’s jealousy and hostility provokes Orlando to flee to the forest.
Jacques de Boys: The middle brother, Jacques de Boys, appears near the play’s close to bring news of Duke Frederick’s religious conversion.
Orlando de Boys: The oppressed younger brother, Orlando is courageous and romantic hero, who falls in love with Rosalind at first sight.
Adam: A faithful, old servant in the house of the de Boys, Adam aids Orlando to escape from his elder brother’s plot to kill him.
Dennia: A minor character, Dennia is a servant of Oliver who informs about Orlando’s wrestling match with Charles.
Phoebe: A shepherdess in the Forest of Ardenne, Phoebe rejects Silvius’ love, instead falling for Rosalind in disguise.
Silvius: A young, naive shepherd, Silvius is hopelessly in love with the disdainful Phoebe.
Audrey: A goatherd, Audrey is pursued by Touchstone, despite their incompatible intellect and social status.
Corin: An old shepherd, Corin provides a rustic perspective on city life versus the pastoral life.
William: A countryman from the Forest of Ardenne, William is betrothed to Audrey before she discards him for the courtly Touchstone.
Sir Oliver Martext: A questionable clergyman in the Forest, Martext almost marries Audrey and Touchstone in a sham ceremony.
Other Characters: Various minor characters, such as Hymen, a god of marriage who appears at the end of the play, serve to drive the plot forward and provide additional commentary and reflexion.