Under the Greenwood Tree Summary

Under the Greenwood Tree

By William Shakespeare

Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me,
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet bird’s throat,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun
And loves to live i’ the sun,
Seeking the food he eats,
And pleased with what he gets,
Come hither, come hither, come hither:
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather.

Theme

The poem celebrates a simple, carefree life in nature. The poet (Shakespeare) praises contentment, freedom from ambition, harmony with the natural world, and satisfaction with life’s basic necessities. The poem suggests that happiness comes not from wealth or power but from simplicity and peace.

Summary

In this song/poem, the poet (Shakespeare) invites people to live in the forest away from worldly ambition. Those who are satisfied with simple living can enjoy freedom, peace, and companionship. Their only challenges are the natural hardships of winter and rough weather.

Line-by-Line Simplification

Under the greenwood tree

Beneath the green forest trees.

Who loves to lie with me,

Anyone who enjoys resting with me.

And turn his merry note

And sing a cheerful song.

Unto the sweet bird’s throat,

Like the sweet songs of birds.

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Come here, come here, come here.

Here shall he see

Here he will find.

No enemy

No enemy or danger.

But winter and rough weather.

Except the hardships of winter and bad weather.

Who doth ambition shun

Who avoids excessive ambition.

And loves to live i’ the sun,

And enjoys living freely in nature.

Seeking the food he eats,

Earning or finding the food he needs.

And pleased with what he gets,

Being satisfied with what he has.

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Come and join us.

Here shall he see

Here he will experience.

No enemy

No human enemy.

But winter and rough weather.

Only the challenges of nature.

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Figures of Speech

1. Alliteration

“winter and rough weather”
Repetition of consonant sounds creates musicality.

2. Repetition

“Come hither, come hither, come hither”
Emphasizes the poet’s warm invitation.

3. Imagery

“Under the greenwood tree”
Creates a vivid picture of a peaceful forest setting.

4. Symbolism

Greenwood tree symbolizes nature, freedom, and simplicity.

5. Metaphor

Bird’s throat represents beautiful natural music.

6. Contrast

The poem contrasts simple rural life with worldly ambition.

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More about the poem:

“Under the Greenwood Tree” is a famous song written by William Shakespeare and included in his pastoral comedy As You Like It. The poem expresses Shakespeare’s admiration for a simple and peaceful life in nature. It presents the forest as a place of freedom, happiness, and contentment, away from the complications of society.

In the first stanza, the speaker invites people who enjoy resting beneath the trees and singing joyfully like birds. The forest is portrayed as a welcoming place where individuals can live peacefully. According to the speaker, the only enemies one may face there are the natural difficulties of winter and bad weather. Unlike society, the forest contains no jealousy, greed, or conflict.

The second stanza focuses on people who avoid ambition and are satisfied with a modest lifestyle. Shakespeare suggests that those who are content with what they have are happier than those who constantly seek wealth, power, or social status. The poem praises self-sufficiency and encourages readers to appreciate life’s simple blessings.

Nature plays a central role in the poem. The greenwood tree, birds, sunshine, and weather create a beautiful natural environment that contrasts sharply with the artificial and competitive world of human society. Shakespeare presents nature as a source of peace, freedom, and moral purity.

The language of the poem is simple, musical, and appealing. The repeated phrase “Come hither” creates a welcoming tone, while the imagery of the forest helps readers imagine a calm and pleasant setting.

In conclusion, “Under the Greenwood Tree” celebrates the joys of simple living, contentment, and harmony with nature. Through this delightful song, Shakespeare reminds us that true happiness often lies not in ambition or material success but in peace, friendship, and appreciation of the natural world.

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