[Harbage provides a scene-by-scene summary of As You Like It, often accompanied by critical commentary. Each of the play's characters particularly Rosalind, Orlando, Touchstone, and Jaques-are discussed as they appear in the text]

To Adam, an old family servant, Orlando de Boys complains that his elder brother Oliver is disregarding the will of their deceased father and is rearing him as an oaf. He repeats this complaint to Oliver and is rewarded with a blow, whereupon he lays hold of his surly guardian and demands the legacy due him so that he may make his own way in the world. Oliver half promises to meet the terms but has no intention of doing so. When Charles, the champion wrestler, comes with a warning that Orlando is apt to be injured if he persists in his plan to enter the matches about to be held at court, Oliver...