Names as metaphors in As you like it

Abstract

The names in As You Like It illustrate the vital importance of names in Shakespeare’s development of both themes and characters. Major themes of AYLI are prominently expressed by the characters’ personifications, and his character names show a mixed use of associations and the coinage of lexical equivalents (redende Namen). His associations are either borrowings from previous literature or references to topical phenomena. His lexical equivalents are sometimes phonological in other plays, but in ALYI they are etymological. This paper will describe the most salient examples in this play. A complete analysis of all names and of the semiotic basis of name meaning may be found in my recent book, Names as Metaphors in Shakespeare’s Comedies (Vernon Press).