As You Like It

Rosalind and Celia enter. Celia attempts to cheer up Rosalind, who is unhappy at her father’s banishment. She also warns Rosalind about the possible dangers of love. They go on to make jokes about Fortune, with Celia saying, “Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune / from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be / bestowed equally” (I.2.31-33). The fool Touchstone enters and adds a few jokes about honor, telling the tale of a knight who swore on his honor about silly things like pancakes and mustard. Then Le Beau, one of Duke Frederick’s courtiers, enters to announce that the wrestling match has begun.

Rosalind and Celia stay to watch the remainder of the match. They try to persuade Orlando to give up the match for his own safety. Orlando refuses, however, and ultimately wins. When he introduces himself to the court, Duke Frederick is displeased to hear that he is the son of the deceased Sir Rowland de Boys, one of Duke Frederick’s enemies. Sir Rowland de Boys was a good friend of Rosalind’s father, however, and Rosalind gives her neck chain to Orlando as a token of her affection. The two fall in love, and once Rosalind leaves, Orlando says, “What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?” (I.2.258).

After the ladies leave, Le Beau counsels Orlando to leave court soon. Le Beau explains Rosalind and Celia’s identities to Orlando, adding that lately Duke Frederick has been displeased with Rosalind’s presence.

Rosalind and Celia continue trying to cheer each other up, discussing Rosalind’s sudden affection for Orlando. Duke Frederick enters with his attendants and suddenly banishes Rosalind from court. Rosalind is confused, and Duke Frederick explains that he does not trust her. Despite Celia’s claims of Rosalind’s loyalty, Duke Frederick’s banishments holds.

Celia declares that she cannot live without her dearest friend, saying, “Say what though canst, I’ll go along with thee” (I.3.111). She decides to go into exile with Rosalind, suggesting that they find the banished Duke Senior in the Forest of Arden. The ladies leave in disguise for their own safety. Rosalind will disguise herself as a man named Ganymede, and Celia will disguise herself as a peasant woman named Aliena. Celia then leaves to convince the fool Touchstone to accompany them.

In the Forest of Arden, Duke Senior and his attendants enter. Duke Senior tells his attendants how forest life is far superior to the trappings of court life. Amiens, an attendant, agrees. Duke Senior proposes that they go deer hunting, although it is a somewhat sad sport. He says, “And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, / being native burghers of this desert city, / should in their own confines with forked heads / have their round haunches gored” (II.1.22-25). According to one of the attending lords, their deer hunting has upset their friend Jaques, who also does not like to kill these natives of the forest.

Back at Duke Frederick’s court, Duke Frederick and his lords realize that Rosalind, Celia, and Touchstone are missing. One of Celia’s handmaids confesses to overhearing the two ladies discuss their admiration for Orlando. The lords now suspect that Orlando is with the ladies. Duke Frederick wants to save the ladies from Orlando, whom he dislikes. He demands that someone return Orlando to court or, barring that, summon Orlando’s brother Oliver to get him back.

Orlando and his servant Adam enter. Adam praises Orlando’s virtues, saying, among other praises, “wherefore are you gentle, strong, and valiant?” (II.3.6). Still, Adam admits that Orlando was foolish to beat Duke Frederick’s wrestler. Now Orlando’s enemy, his hated brother Oliver is coming to kill Orlando. Adam says, “Your brother—no, no brother—yet the son—/yet not the son, I will not call him son—of him that I was about to call his father, / hath heard your praises, and this night he means / to burn the lodgings where you use to life, / and you within it” (II.3.20-25). For their safety, Orlando and Adam then decide to leave court and live elsewhere.

Rosalind, Celia, and Touchstone—all in disguise—enter and discuss how tired they are from traveling. Now in the Forest of Arden, they eavesdrop on some nearby shepherds named Silvius and Corin. Silvius and Corin discuss aging and love. Silvius is in love with someone named Phoebe. Silvius does not think Corin can relate to his predicament because Corin is so old. Touchstone, Rosalind, and Celia then approach the shepherds to arrange for food and shelter.

Amiens and Jaques enter with unnamed attendants. Amiens sings a song praising the country life. Amiens concludes the song by singing, “No enemy / but winter and rough weather” (II.5.7-8). Although he likes the song, this saddens Jaques. Everyone continues the song together, and then Jaques sings his own version mocking Amiens’. He calls those who come to the forest fools, singing, “any man turn ass, / leaving his wealth and ease” (II.5.49-50).

Orlando and Adam enter in the forest of Arden. The two are starving from their journey, and Orlando leaves to find food.

Duke Senior and his attendants enter discussing Jaques, who follows them on stage. Jaques announces that he has met a fool from some court, adding that the man “railed on Lady Fortune in good terms, / in good set terms, and yet a motley fool” (II.7.16-17). Jaques wishes for that same freedom of speech, though Duke Senior thinks that Jaques has been too sinful to deserve it. Orlando enters, starving and hostile, and the Duke invites him to their table. This surprises Orlando, who says, “Pardon me, I pray you. / I thought that all things had been savage here, / and therefore put I on the countenance” (II.7.111-113). Orlando leaves briefly to find Adam.

While Orlando is gone, Jaques begins a lengthy comparison between human life and the theatrical stage, beginning with “All the world’s a stage” (2.7.145). Orlando returns with Adam, and they join the Duke’s table. Duke Senior realizes Orlando’s identity, and he is pleased to encounter the son of his good friend Sir Rowland de Boys.