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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Key Examples in As You Like It
Act 4, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of As You Like It is light-hearted and romantic, indulging in fantastic plot twists that entertain and enchant in equal measure. The romance and sentimentality at the core of the play can be observed in Oliver’s rescue in Act 4, Scene 3. As Oliver recounts it, he is lying in a bush when his brother comes upon him:
About [my] neck
A green and gilded snake had wreathed itself,
Who with her head, nimble in threats, approached
The opening of [my] mouth. But suddenly,
Seeing Orlando, it unlinked itself
And, with indented glides, did slip away
Into a bush, under which bush’s shade
A lioness, with udders all drawn dry,
Lay couching, head on ground, with catlike watch
When that the sleeping man should stir [...]
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of As You Like It is light-hearted and romantic, indulging in fantastic plot twists that entertain and enchant in equal measure. The romance and sentimentality at the core of the play can be observed in Oliver’s rescue in Act 4, Scene 3. As Oliver recounts it, he is lying in a bush when his brother comes upon him:
Unlock with LitCharts A+About [my] neck
A green and gilded snake had wreathed itself,
Who with her head, nimble in threats, approached
The opening of [my] mouth. But suddenly,
Seeing Orlando, it unlinked itself
And, with indented glides, did slip away
Into a bush, under which bush’s shade
A lioness, with udders all drawn dry,
Lay couching, head on ground, with catlike watch
When that the sleeping man should stir [...]
Related Themes:
