... opening speech, by Duke senior. For example, he says, "Hath not old custom made this life more sweet than that of the painted pomp?" What duke senior is saying here is that, life in the woods is better than the false ceremony of the court (painted pomp). Duke senior then goes on to say, "Are not these woods more free from peril than the envious court?" Duke senior is now saying that there is more freedom in the woods than in the court, and that they are free from danger, threat or any risk that might be held upon them in the court. The speech by Duke senior is very optimistic, which immediately tells the reader that life in the forest is not going to be as expected, as it should be seen more as a prison for them as apposed to a place free peril. However in the play, life ...

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