"To you I give myself, for I am yours" (Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 5, Scene 4) 1792

This print, made by Peter Simon around the late 18th to early 19th century, captures a scene from Shakespeare’s "As You Like It" with meticulous detail using a technique that emphasizes light and shadow. Notice how Simon uses the tonal range of the print medium to create a dramatic contrast between the figures and the dark, wooded backdrop. The characters are arranged in a composition that draws your eye to the exchange between Rosalind and Orlando, highlighted by the torchbearer positioned centrally. The light source is not just illumination; it's a compositional tool that adds depth and focuses our attention. Simon's work invites us to consider how visual forms intersect with literary themes. The arrangement of figures, their gestures, and the interplay of light and shadow work together to underscore the performative and transformative aspects that are central to Shakespeare’s play. Consider how these elements destabilize conventional representations of identity and emotion.