This comprehensive guide includes a discussion of the play's textual history, analyses of its various contexts and sources of influence, an examination of its dramatic structure, a detailed plot summary, a discussion of major themes and critical approaches, and a look at major productions from the 16th through the 20th century.Shakespeare's As You Like It continues to captivate audiences some 400 years after it was written. This reference is a comprehensive guide to the play. Beginning with a discussion of the play's textual history, the guide analyzes its various contexts and sources of influence. The play's dramatic structure is examined, a detailed plot summary is offered, and the play's major themes-along with an overview of major critical approaches to the work-are discussed. The volume also covers major productions of As You Like It from the 16th through the 20th century.