Belonging_-_as_You_Like_It___I_Am_Sam

Belonging Essay – ‘As you like it’ / ‘I am Sam’ The concept of belonging is explored in texts such as Shakespeare’s play ‘As you like it’ and Jessie Nelson’s film ‘I am Sam’ through literary and filmic techniques which engage and enrich the audiences understanding of the concept. These texts explore notions of belonging to place, family and communities, and the barriers and implications of these. This is done through the employment of techniques to represent ideas and engage the audience in order to create a new, or challenge perceptions of belonging . In ‘As you like it’ Shakespeare contrasts the settings of various characters in order to challenge perceptions of belonging and manipulate the audiences understanding of belonging to place. This is done through the symbolism of the natural setting of the Forest of Arden in contrast to the constituted, man-made court. Emotive language by Duke Senior such as ‘are not these woods more free from peril than the envious court'’ and Duke Frederick ‘villeins in my court’, position the audience to favour the Forest as a place where characters can find ‘good in everything’. It is described by Senior as a place ‘free from public haunt’, meaning free from the anger and aggression and inner and outer conflict felt in the court, which is represented by the words and actions of Frederick. Through the contrast of these settings and characters Shakespeare is able to explore the concept of belonging to place, and how in order for this to truly be done, one must feel connected and content there, not just have an association there. This is shown through characters leaving the court, though they are able to say they associate with and live in the court, they find true happiness and a sense of identity in the Forest. The Forest becomes a symbol of a place where one can belong through developing meaningful relationships with the environment and the people in it. Thus, in order to belong to place, one must be able to truly connect with it and find a sense of identity there, both emotionally and physically. Shakespeare also explores the notion of transgressing boundaries to enjoy a greater sense of belonging . This is done through Rosalind, who disguises herself as the male Ganymede in order to enjoy liberties that were unavailable to her as a woman. This also enables Shakespeare to explore the implications of finding of finding a sense of belonging through a false identity. The use of repeated questioning through Rosalind whilst she is disguised as a man, such as ‘...though i am caparisoned like a man, i have doublet and hose in my disposition'’ and ‘doth he know that i am in this forest and in a man’s apparel'’ shows her insecurities with this false identity. It also shows her insecurities with this false identity and doubt and anxiousness that has arose from not being able to form meaningful and honest connections with those around her. This allows Shakespeare to explore the concept of belonging and how hiding behind a false identity is an implication to ones sense of belonging and identity, despite the other benefits it may have. Shakespeare is portraying that it may give one things that were previously unavailable to them, such as the freedom of movement achieved by Rosalind through Ganymede, but they will never truly be able to belong. The readers ideal perceptions of family is challenged in ‘As you like it’ through the exploration of the relationship between brothers Orlando and Oliver, which also demonstrates that filial relationships are essential for a sense of belonging and identity. Conflict and anger is constant between the brothers, from the opening scene, and allows Shakespeare to explore the need for one to have a family network. The ideals of family are challenged through this conflict, through the hatred expressed between them in dialogue such as ‘i never loved my brother in my life’ and ‘malice of a diverted blood and a bloody brother’. This tension is used by Shakespeare to show that one cannot belong without a sense of familial relations. Orlando is able to find this connection with loyal servant Adam, who demonstrates this by saying ‘we’ll go along together’. This relationship is used by Shakespeare to explore and challenge the notion of family and its relationship to belonging. It shows that one needs an identity with family in order to have a strong sense of belonging. The importance of identity with family is also explored in the film ‘I am Sam’ through the experience of the protagonist when his only family is removed. The use of film devices allows the audience to experience the pain and sadness associated with such an event, and thus shaping their understanding of belonging to family. Contrasting to ‘As you like it’, the family here is shown to be mutually loving and supportive, and the director explores how social expectations can prevent a sense of identity with family being developed. Due to his intellectual disability, Sam is deemed unfit for fatherhood and consequently his daughter Lucy is taken away. Here he locks himself in his apartment and builds a wall out of origami figures around him. This wall is symbolic of his loss of identity and this internal turmoil preventing him from finding a sense of identity with the external world. There is minimal lighting and high angles shots to emphasise Sam’s vulnerability, isolation and despair, which the audience also feels thus shaping their understanding to value the importance of value, and have a changed perception of the essential qualities required for this to occur. They now understand that family is important for one to have a sense of belonging, and they are also exposed to the idea that society can cause pressures on families who are outside of these expectations, causing a loss of connection and identity. The interactions an individual has with a community can challenge and enrich their previous perceptions and enlighten them to new ideas. In ‘I am Sam’ his rejection initially occurs in the courtroom, which the director has chosen to be dully lit with blues and greys, to show grief and unfamiliarity of Sam, and the camera is free held to give a shaky effect to show his insecurity and disconnection as a result of his rejection as a father. The facial expressions force the audience to feel what the protagonist feels, thus shaping their perceptions. As Sam begins to be accepted by the community, the director uses more warm colours of reds and yellows, and has the characters interact in more natural settings such as gardens and park. This is symbolic of Sam’s growing acceptance through enriching a community. These relationships are shown in the final scene, where the newly enlightened community is positioned on the grandstand, cheering Sam and Lucy on, to symbolise the establishment of the support network. The development and enrichment of the community shapes the audiences perceptions of what it means to belong to a group and to be accepted by society. The experience of the community of being enlightened to the importance of love and care in family members over academic success in ‘I am Sam’ broadens the audience’s perceptions of requirements of family and community in order to belong. It also enlightens them to barriers to belonging which can stem from external sources rather than internal fears. Texts such as ‘As you like it’ and ‘I am Sam’ and their included literary and film techniques the audiences understanding of belonging and its implications can be shaped and enriched. It enables their understanding of the concept of belonging to place, family and community and its importance for the individual’s ability to relate to those around them.