4.1 Under the Greenwood Tree - Class 7 - Balbharati

Author: William Shakespeare (from As You Like It)

Genre: Song / Pastoral Poem

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

Under the Greenwood Tree is a song from Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. In this pastoral poem, the poet invites people to come and live happily under the greenwood tree, free from ambition and enemies. The only hardships will be winter and rough weather. Those who are content with simple food, sunshine, and nature’s beauty are welcome to join. The poem highlights a carefree, peaceful life in harmony with nature. Instead of chasing wealth, power, or fame, the poet suggests a life of simplicity and joy with no enemies except the seasons. The tone of the poem is cheerful, rustic, and musical, showing Shakespeare’s love for nature and rural life.

Theme / Central Idea

The poem highlights the beauty of simple living in the lap of nature. It teaches contentment, freedom from ambition, and harmony with the natural world.

Word Meanings

Figures of Speech (with examples)

1. Repetition – “Come hither, come hither, come hither” – repeated for emphasis.

2. Alliteration – “winter and rough weather” – repetition of ‘w’ sound.

3. Imagery – “Who loves to lie with me under the greenwood tree” – creates a picture of rustic life.

4. Personification – Nature is described as offering food, sunshine, and shelter.

5. Antithesis – Contrast between peace of forest life and ambition of worldly life.

   
   

Rhyme Scheme

The rhyme scheme of the poem is ababbcc in each stanza.

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Would you like to live under the greenwood tree? Why?

   Yes, I would like to live under the greenwood tree because it offers peace, beauty, and freedom from stress. Nature makes life simple and joyful.

2. What message do you get from this poem about ambition?

   The message is that ambition for wealth or power creates enemies and unrest. True happiness lies in avoiding ambition and enjoying a simple life.

   
   

3. Why does the poet say there are no enemies under the tree?

   The poet says so because in the forest, people live peacefully in nature. There are no jealous rivals, only natural challenges like winter and rough weather.

   
   

4. What kind of person is invited in this poem?

   A person who avoids ambition, enjoys sunshine, is happy with simple food, and loves nature is invited to join the poet under the greenwood tree.

   
   

5. Do you think this poem is still relevant today? Why?

   Yes, the poem is relevant because modern life is full of stress and ambition. It reminds us that real joy is found in nature, contentment, and peace.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. The poet invites people to live under the greenwood tree. → True

2. The only enemies in the forest are ambition and jealousy. → False (Only winter and rough weather.)

3. The poem describes a life of simplicity and peace. → True

4. The poem suggests that people should chase wealth and power. → False (It asks us to avoid ambition.)

5. The song is taken from Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. → True

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. What invitation does the poet give in this poem?

   The poet invites people to come and live happily under the greenwood tree, free from ambition, enemies, and worldly worries.

   
   

2. Who is described as welcome in the forest life?

   Anyone who avoids ambition, enjoys sunshine, and is content with simple food is welcome in the forest life.

   
   

3. What difficulties does the poet mention in the forest life?

   The only difficulties are winter and rough weather, which are natural hardships.

   
   

4. What message does Shakespeare give through this song?

   The message is that simplicity, contentment, and closeness to nature are better than ambition and power struggles.

   
   

5. Why is the poem called Under the Greenwood Tree?

   It is called so because the poet imagines a peaceful life under the shade of greenwood trees, living in harmony with nature.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

Under the Greenwood Tree by William Shakespeare is a pastoral song celebrating simple rural life. Its cheerful tone, repetition, and musical rhythm make it pleasant to read. The imagery of greenwood trees, sunshine, and food shows the joy of nature. The contrast between ambition and simplicity gives the poem a moral lesson. It is memorable because it connects happiness with contentment, reminding us that true peace lies in living close to nature.

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