As You Like It MCQs Questions and Answers: Each act of the play has been divided into sections with corresponding MCQs that cover key plot points, character development, themes, and literary devices. The MCQs are structured to be informative, factually accurate, and encourage critical thinking about the play. Detailed answers are provided to reinforce your understanding and appreciation of this timeless classic.
Table of Contents
Act I – As You Like It MCQs Questions And Answers
Q1. Who is the rightful Duke in the play?
(a) Frederick
(b) Senior
(c) Oliver
(d) Orlando
Q2. Why does Orlando challenge Charles the wrestler?
(a) To win Rosalind’s love
(b) To avenge his father’s death
(c) To prove his own strength
(d) To win money for his family
Q3. Which character says, “All the world’s a stage”?
(a) Touchstone
(b) Jaques
(c) Rosalind
(d) Celia
Q4. Why are Rosalind and Celia banished from the court?
(a) For conspiring against Duke Frederick
(b) For their suspected love for Orlando
(c) Out of Duke Frederick’s fear of Rosalind’s popularity
(d) For their lack of respect towards the court
Q5. What are the names Rosalind and Celia adopt when they flee to the Forest of Arden?
(a) Ganymede and Aliena
(b) Phebe and Silvius
(c) Audrey and Touchstone
(d) Hymen and Juno
Q6. How does Orlando learn of Rosalind’s banishment?
(a) From Adam, his old servant
(b) From Duke Frederick himself
(c) From Celia, who sends him a secret message
(d) By overhearing a conversation in the court
Q7. Who is described as the “melancholy” character in Act I?
(a) Orlando
(b) Duke Frederick
(c) Touchstone
(d) Jaques
Q8. Why does Oliver mistreat Orlando?
(a) Out of jealousy for Orlando’s popularity
(b) Because Orlando is not his biological brother
(c) Due to Orlando’s lack of education and manners
(d) To claim Orlando’s inheritance
Q9. What is Touchstone’s role in the play?
(a) A wise counselor to Rosalind
(b) A villainous character who opposes Duke Senior
(c) The court jester, providing comic relief
(d) A loyal servant to Orlando
Q10. What is the significance of the Forest of Arden?
(a) It is a place of danger and exile
(b) It is a symbol of the corrupt court
(c) It represents a natural, idealized world
(d) It is where the final battle between good and evil takes place
Q11. Which character delivers the lines, “Sweet are the uses of adversity”?
(a) Duke Senior
(b) Rosalind
(c) Jaques
(d) Celia
Q12. What is the main theme explored in Act I?
(a) The importance of forgiveness
(b) The power of love to overcome obstacles
(c) The corrupting influence of power
(d) The search for identity and belonging
Q13. What literary device is used in the line, “O, how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an April day!”?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Simile
(c) Personification
(d) Hyperbole
Q14. Who is the first character to express a desire to live in the Forest of Arden?
(a) Duke Senior
(b) Charles the wrestler
(c) Orlando
(d) Adam
Q15. What is the main source of conflict between Orlando and Oliver?
(a) Their differing political views
(b) Their love for the same woman
(c) Oliver’s denial of Orlando’s rightful inheritance
(d) Orlando’s secret plan to overthrow Oliver
Q16. What is Rosalind’s attitude towards her exile?
(a) She is filled with despair and hopelessness.
(b) She accepts her fate with resignation.
(c) She sees it as an opportunity for adventure and disguise.
(d) She vows to return to the court and seek revenge.
Q17. How does Duke Frederick react to Orlando’s victory over Charles?
(a) He congratulates Orlando and offers him a reward.
(b) He is angry and jealous of Orlando’s popularity.
(c) He is indifferent and dismisses the event.
(d) He sees Orlando as a potential threat to his power.
Q18. Which character acts as a mentor and guide to Rosalind?
(a) Touchstone
(b) Jaques
(c) Celia
(d) Adam
Q19. What is the significance of wrestling in Act I?
(a) It symbolizes the physical strength required to survive in the Forest of Arden.
(b) It highlights the importance of competition and rivalry in the play.
(c) It represents a test of character and a means of proving oneself.
(d) It serves as a metaphor for the political struggles in the court.
Q20. What is the mood at the end of Act I?
(a) Hopeful and optimistic
(b) Gloomy and pessimistic
(c) Uncertain and suspenseful
(d) Joyful and celebratory
Act II – As You Like It MCQs Questions And Answers
Q21. In Act II, Scene I, what does Duke Senior compare the harshness of life in exile to?
(a) A stormy sea
(b) A thorny bush
(c) A winter’s wind
(d) A venomous snake
Q22. What rumor does Jaques hear about Orlando in the Forest of Arden?
(a) Orlando has fallen in love with a shepherdess.
(b) Orlando is writing love poems and hanging them on trees.
(c) Orlando has challenged Duke Senior to a duel.
(d) Orlando is planning to lead a rebellion against Duke Frederick.
Q23. Which character delivers the famous “All the world’s a stage” speech?
(a) Touchstone
(b) Jaques
(c) Amiens
(d) Duke Senior
Q24. What is the reason for Corin’s discontent in Act II, Scene IV?
(a) He is in love with Phebe and she does not return his feelings.
(b) He is tired of the simple life in the forest and longs for the court.
(c) He is struggling to find meaning and purpose in his pastoral existence.
(d) He is worried about the impending arrival of Duke Frederick and his men.
Q25. What plan does Rosalind (disguised as Ganymede) propose to Orlando to cure him of his lovesickness?
(a) She suggests he find a new love interest in the forest.
(b) She offers to pretend to be Rosalind and help him practice wooing.
(c) She tells him to forget about Rosalind and focus on his own happiness.
(d) She gives him a magic potion that will erase his feelings for Rosalind.
Q26. Which character in Act II embodies the theme of unrequited love?
(a) Silvius
(b) Phebe
(c) Touchstone
(d) Audrey
Q27. What is the main source of comic relief in Act II, Scene V?
(a) Touchstone’s witty banter with Audrey
(b) Jaques’ melancholy musings about life
(c) The misunderstandings between Orlando and Rosalind
(d) The rivalry between Duke Senior and Duke Frederick
Q28. What does the song “Under the Greenwood Tree” celebrate?
(a) The joys of love and marriage
(b) The beauty of nature and the simple life
(c) The freedom and escape found in the forest
(d) The melancholy and fleeting nature of happiness
Q29. How does Rosalind (as Ganymede) describe love in Act II, Scene VII?
(a) A madness
(b) A blessing
(c) A curse
(d) A mystery
Q30. What does Touchstone say about life in the court versus life in the forest?
(a) Life in the court is more honest and fulfilling.
(b) Life in the forest is filled with danger and hardship.
(c) Both the court and the forest have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
(d) The forest is a place of fools, while the court is a place of wisdom.
Q31. What role does music play in Act II?
(a) It serves as a distraction from the characters’ troubles.
(b) It enhances the romantic atmosphere of the forest.
(c) It expresses the characters’ emotions and inner thoughts.
(d) All of the above
Q32. Why does Phebe fall in love with Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise)?
(a) Because Ganymede is witty and charming.
(b) Because Ganymede is handsome and masculine.
(c) Because Ganymede criticizes her and insults her beauty.
(d) Because Ganymede reminds her of Silvius.
Q33. What does Jaques request from Duke Senior?
(a) Permission to marry Celia.
(b) A chance to return to the court.
(c) A motley coat to wear as a fool.
(d) A sword to fight Orlando.
Q34. What is the significance of the scene where Orlando saves Oliver from a lioness?
(a) It shows Orlando’s bravery and compassion.
(b) It reveals Oliver’s true nature as a villain.
(c) It foreshadows the reconciliation between the brothers.
(d) It symbolizes the dangers of the forest.
Q35. Which character is described as “a natural philosopher”?
(a) Touchstone
(b) Jaques
(c) Corin
(d) Duke Senior
Q36. What is the main conflict in Act II, Scene VII?
(a) Orlando’s struggle to win Rosalind’s love.
(b) The rivalry between Duke Senior and Duke Frederick.
(c) The clash between the courtly world and the pastoral world.
(d) The tension between the characters’ true identities and their disguises.
Q37. Which character symbolizes the idealized shepherd in Act II?
(a) Corin
(b) Silvius
(c) Phebe
(d) Touchstone
Q38. What does the phrase “the penalty of Adam” refer to in Duke Senior’s speech?
(a) The pain of unrequited love
(b) The hardships of life in exile
(c) The burden of original sin
(d) The inevitability of death
Q39. What is the main purpose of the love poems Orlando writes in Act II?
(a) To impress Rosalind and win her heart
(b) To express his frustrations with life in the forest
(c) To entertain the other characters in the play
(d) To challenge traditional notions of love and romance
Q40. What does Act II primarily explore?
(a) The transformative power of love
(b) The corrupting influence of power
(c) The search for meaning and purpose in life
(d) The conflict between appearance and reality
Act III – As You Like It MCQs Questions And Answers
Q41. In Act III, Scene II, what does Touchstone say is the “quintessence of dust”?
(a) Love
(b) Life
(c) Man
(d) The court
Q42. What does the “love in idleness” flower symbolize?
(a) Unrequited love
(b) The fleeting nature of love
(c) The power of love to transform
(d) The folly of romantic love
Q43. Why does Celia (as Aliena) scold Rosalind (as Ganymede) in Act III, Scene IV?
(a) For being late to their meeting with Orlando
(b) For falling in love with Orlando
(c) For revealing her true identity to Orlando
(d) For making fun of Silvius’ love for Phebe
Q44. What is the significance of the scene where Rosalind faints upon seeing the bloody handkerchief?
(a) It reveals Rosalind’s fragility and vulnerability.
(b) It highlights the dangers of the forest.
(c) It serves as a test of Orlando’s love for her.
(d) It foreshadows a tragic ending to the play.
Q45. Which character sings the song “Blow, blow, thou winter wind” in Act III, Scene II?
(a) Amiens
(b) Jaques
(c) Touchstone
(d) Orlando
Q46. What is the main theme explored in Act III, Scene III?
(a) The importance of social class and status
(b) The conflict between love and duty
(c) The power of words to deceive and manipulate
(d) The contrast between the courtly and pastoral worlds
Q47. What does the “wedding” of Touchstone and Audrey reveal about the nature of love in the play?
(a) Love is a sacred and solemn institution.
(b) Love is a frivolous and fleeting emotion.
(c) Love is a complex and multifaceted experience.
(d) Love is a source of pain and suffering.
Q48. What is the significance of the scene where Rosalind and Celia find love poems addressed to Rosalind hanging on trees?
(a) It reveals Orlando’s true feelings for Rosalind.
(b) It creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
(c) It highlights the romantic atmosphere of the forest.
(d) All of the above
Q49. What does the character of Phebe represent in the play?
(a) The ideal of feminine beauty
(b) The unattainable object of desire
(c) The power of unrequited love
(d) The folly of romantic idealism
Q50. What is the central conflict in Act III?
(a) The struggle for power between Duke Senior and Duke Frederick
(b) The clash between the values of the court and the forest
(c) The tangled web of romantic relationships and misunderstandings
(d) The search for identity and belonging in a changing world
Q51. In Act III, Scene III, what does Touchstone criticize about courtly love?
(a) Its lack of passion
(b) Its artificiality and dishonesty
(c) Its focus on physical beauty
(d) Its emphasis on social status
Q52. What is the significance of the scene where Rosalind (as Ganymede) lectures Phebe on the nature of love?
(a) It reveals Rosalind’s own conflicted feelings about love.
(b) It highlights the power imbalance between men and women in love.
(c) It serves as a commentary on the unrealistic expectations of romantic love.
(d) All of the above
Q53. Which character acts as a foil to Touchstone’s cynicism about love?
(a) Orlando
(b) Silvius
(c) Jaques
(d) Celia
Q54. What does the wrestling match between Orlando and Charles symbolize in Act I?
(a) The struggle for power in the court
(b) The conflict between good and evil
(c) The importance of physical strength in a harsh world
(d) The competition for Rosalind’s affection
Q55. How does Rosalind (as Ganymede) manipulate the love triangle between herself, Orlando, and Phebe?
(a) By encouraging Phebe to pursue Orlando
(b) By pretending to be indifferent to Orlando’s affections
(c) By promising to marry Phebe if Orlando rejects her
(d) By revealing her true identity to both Orlando and Phebe
Q56. What is the main source of humor in Act III, Scene V?
(a) The witty banter between Touchstone and Audrey
(b) The ridiculous love poems written by Orlando
(c) The confusion caused by Rosalind’s disguise
(d) The rivalry between Silvius and Phebe
Q57. Which character undergoes the most significant transformation in Act III?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Orlando
(c) Oliver
(d) Phebe
Q58. What is the function of the Forest of Arden in Act III?
(a) A place of danger and exile
(b) A backdrop for romantic encounters
(c) A space for self-discovery and transformation
(d) All of the above
Q59. What is the significance of the multiple weddings planned at the end of Act III?
(a) They represent a triumph of love over adversity.
(b) They symbolize the restoration of order and harmony.
(c) They provide a comedic resolution to the play’s conflicts.
(d) All of the above
Q60. Which character’s arrival disrupts the wedding plans at the end of Act III?
(a) Duke Frederick
(b) Jaques
(c) Hymen
(d) Touchstone
Act IV – As You Like It MCQs Questions And Answers
Q61. In Act IV, Scene I, what does Rosalind (as Ganymede) say is the difference between men’s vows and their behaviors?
(a) Men’s vows are sincere, but their behaviors are deceitful.
(b) Men’s vows are meaningless, while their behaviors are genuine.
(c) Men’s vows are like bubbles, easily broken.
(d) Men’s vows are made to be kept, but their behaviors often fall short.
Q62. Why does Jaques express a desire to become a fool?
(a) He wants to escape the responsibilities of court life.
(b) He believes that fools are the only ones who see the truth.
(c) He wants to use humor to criticize society and its follies.
(d) He is tired of being melancholy and wants to experience joy.
Q63. What is the significance of the scene where Rosalind (as Ganymede) mocks Orlando’s exaggerated love language?
(a) It reveals Rosalind’s own doubts about Orlando’s sincerity.
(b) It highlights the artificiality of courtly love conventions.
(c) It serves as a test of Orlando’s commitment to Rosalind.
(d) All of the above
Q64. Why does Touchstone decide to marry Audrey?
(a) He is genuinely in love with her.
(b) He wants to prove that love is not just for the noble class.
(c) He is tired of being alone and desires companionship.
(d) He wants to gain a higher social status by marrying a shepherdess.
Q65. What does the song “It was a lover and his lass” celebrate?
(a) The joys of spring and nature
(b) The beauty of youthful love
(c) The importance of seizing the moment
(d) All of the above
Q66. How does Rosalind (as Ganymede) explain her sudden disappearance to Orlando in Act IV, Scene I?
(a) She claims to have been called away by urgent business.
(b) She reveals her true identity and explains her disguise.
(c) She pretends to be offended by Orlando’s lack of attention.
(d) She tells him that she has fallen in love with someone else.
Q67. What is the significance of the scene where Oliver recounts his transformation to Duke Senior?
(a) It demonstrates the power of forgiveness and redemption.
(b) It reveals the corrupting influence of power and ambition.
(c) It highlights the importance of family bonds and loyalty.
(d) It emphasizes the contrast between the courtly and pastoral worlds.
Q68. What is the main source of conflict in Act IV, Scene III?
(a) The rivalry between Orlando and Silvius for Phebe’s love
(b) The misunderstanding between Rosalind and Orlando
(c) The clash between Touchstone’s wit and Audrey’s simplicity
(d) The tension between Oliver’s newfound goodness and his past misdeeds
Q69. How does Shakespeare use dramatic irony in Act IV?
(a) By having the audience know Rosalind’s true identity while the other characters do not.
(b) By creating situations where the characters’ words have double meanings.
(c) By foreshadowing events that the characters are unaware of.
(d) All of the above
Q70. What is the overall mood at the end of Act IV?
(a) Hopeful and optimistic
(b) Chaotic and confusing
(c) Melancholy and reflective
(d) Anticipatory and suspenseful
Q71. What does Rosalind (as Ganymede) say is the cure for love?
(a) Time and absence
(b) Reason and logic
(c) Marriage and commitment
(d) A new love interest
Q72. Why does Phebe agree to marry Silvius?
(a) She has fallen in love with him.
(b) She feels sorry for him and his unrequited love.
(c) She is manipulated by Rosalind’s promise to marry her if Orlando rejects her.
(d) She wants to escape the advances of Ganymede.
Q73. How does Oliver explain Orlando’s absence at the expected wedding time?
(a) Orlando has been injured in a fight with a rival suitor.
(b) Orlando has changed his mind and no longer wants to marry Rosalind.
(c) Orlando has been kidnapped by Duke Frederick’s men.
(d) Orlando was delayed by an encounter with a snake.
Q74. What does Touchstone’s story about the quarrel with a courtier satirize?
(a) The absurdity of courtly manners and etiquette
(b) The dangers of gossip and slander
(c) The importance of honesty and integrity
(d) The power of words to incite violence
Q75. What is the significance of the appearance of Hymen, the god of marriage, at the end of Act IV?
(a) It symbolizes the triumph of love and the restoration of order.
(b) It foreshadows the impending doom and tragedy that will befall the characters.
(c) It introduces a supernatural element into the play.
(d) It provides a deus ex machina resolution to the plot.
Q76. Which character does not participate in the multiple weddings at the end of Act IV?
(a) Orlando
(b) Rosalind
(c) Phebe
(d) Jaques
Q77. What is the main theme explored in Act IV?
(a) The power of forgiveness and redemption
(b) The importance of social class and status
(c) The conflict between nature and civilization
(d) The transformative power of love
Q78. Which character undergoes the most significant change in Act IV?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Orlando
(c) Oliver
(d) Phebe
Q79. What is the function of the pastoral setting in Act IV?
(a) To provide a backdrop for romantic encounters
(b) To contrast the idealized world of the forest with the corrupt court
(c) To explore themes of nature, simplicity, and contentment
(d) All of the above
Q80. What is the overall tone of Act IV?
(a) Lighthearted and comedic
(b) Dark and tragic
(c) Somber and reflective
(d) Romantic and sentimental
Act V – As You Like It MCQs Questions And Answers
Q81. In Act V, Scene I, what does Touchstone say is the “most capricious poet, honest Ovid, was among the Goths”?
(a) Love
(b) Time
(c) Fortune
(d) Nature
Q82. What is the significance of the scene where William is intimidated by Touchstone?
(a) It reveals Touchstone’s cruelty and arrogance.
(b) It highlights the social hierarchy and power dynamics in the play.
(c) It serves as a comedic interlude before the resolution of the main plot.
(d) It foreshadows the conflict between the courtly and pastoral worlds.
Q83. Why does Duke Frederick change his mind and decide to restore the dukedom to his brother?
(a) He is overcome with remorse for his past actions.
(b) He is persuaded by Jaques’ philosophical arguments.
(c) He encounters a religious hermit who convinces him to repent.
(d) He is threatened by a rebellion led by Orlando and his allies.
Q84. What is the significance of the masque of Hymen in Act V, Scene IV?
(a) It celebrates the triumph of love and the resolution of conflicts.
(b) It adds a magical and fantastical element to the play’s ending.
(c) It reinforces the theme of transformation and renewal.
(d) All of the above
Q85. Who remains in the Forest of Arden after the other characters return to the court?
(a) Jaques
(b) Touchstone
(c) Audrey
(d) Silvius
Q86. How does Rosalind (as Ganymede) resolve the love triangle between herself, Orlando, and Phebe?
(a) She reveals her true identity to both of them.
(b) She convinces Phebe to accept Silvius’s love.
(c) She orchestrates a magical charm that makes Orlando fall in love with Phebe.
(d) She leaves the Forest of Arden without choosing either of them.
Q87. What is the main theme of Act V?
(a) The importance of forgiveness and reconciliation
(b) The triumph of love and the power of transformation
(c) The fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of change
(d) The contrast between the courtly and pastoral worlds
Q88. Which character’s epilogue directly addresses the audience?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Orlando
(c) Touchstone
(d) Jaques
Q89. What is the significance of the multiple marriages at the end of the play?
(a) They symbolize the restoration of social order and harmony.
(b) They represent the triumph of love over adversity and misunderstanding.
(c) They provide a comedic resolution to the play’s romantic conflicts.
(d) All of the above
Q90. What is the overall message of “As You Like It”?
(a) Love conquers all.
(b) Life is a stage, and we are all actors.
(c) Nature is a refuge from the artificiality of society.
(d) Laughter is the best medicine.
Q91. Which characters provide the epilogue to the play?
(a) Rosalind and Orlando
(b) Touchstone and Audrey
(c) Duke Senior and Duke Frederick
(d) Jaques and Amiens
Q92. What is the tone of the epilogue?
(a) Melancholy and reflective
(b) Playful and lighthearted
(c) Didactic and moralizing
(d) Triumphant and celebratory
Q93. How does Rosalind address the audience in the epilogue?
(a) As herself, Rosalind
(b) As Ganymede, the young man
(c) As both Rosalind and Ganymede
(d) As neither, but as a separate character
Q94. What does Rosalind ask of the women in the audience in the epilogue?
(a) To forgive the men for their shortcomings
(b) To applaud the actors for their performance
(c) To remember the lessons of the play
(d) To continue to believe in the power of love
Q95. What is the final message conveyed in the epilogue?
(a) Love is fleeting and ultimately disappointing.
(b) Nature is a refuge from the complexities of society.
(c) All’s well that ends well, and love and forgiveness prevail.
(d) Life is a series of illusions and deceptions.
Q96. Which character’s transformation is most significant in resolving the conflicts of the play?
(a) Rosalind
(b) Orlando
(c) Duke Frederick
(d) Oliver
Q97. How does the play challenge traditional gender roles?
(a) By having a female character disguise herself as a man
(b) By portraying strong and independent female characters
(c) By exploring the complexities of love and attraction
(d) All of the above
Q98. What is the significance of the Forest of Arden in the overall message of the play?
(a) It represents a place of danger and exile.
(b) It symbolizes the corrupting influence of power.
(c) It serves as a backdrop for romantic encounters.
(d) It represents a natural, idealized world where societal norms can be challenged and true love can flourish.
Q99. Which of the following is NOT a recurring theme in “As You Like It”?
(a) Love and transformation
(b) Nature versus civilization
(c) Appearance versus reality
(d) Revenge and justice
Q100. What makes “As You Like It” a timeless comedy?
(a) Its witty dialogue and clever wordplay
(b) Its exploration of universal themes of love, identity, and belonging
(c) Its memorable characters and their complex relationships
(d) All of the above
Read other English MCQs.