Juxtaposition

"Are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court?" (II.i.17)

The life of a member of the royal court should be fancy and constantly full of royal activities right? Shakespeare plays, and any sort of media or literature in general, seem to make out court life as a lavish one. This about what I'm picturing

That's not exactly what's happening in this play. The Duke is pretty much having a good time in the forest. He's making the best of what he's been forced into. That's the spirit, Duke. The court life is juxtaposed with the calm, peaceful life in the country. The first description of the court is when Charles is breaking people's ribs and throwing them around like Barbie dolls. The country life seems far more appealing when  the Duke describes it. Maybe that's why a majority of the story takes place there? Granted, they end up in the court at the end. The country life is "exempt from public haunt"; what else could a royal want?!