As You Like It, Act 5 scene 4 - The concluding scene, which contains the denouement

As You Like It

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ACT V SCENE IV	The forest.
[ Enter DUKE SENIOR, AMIENS, JAQUES, ORLANDO, OLIVER, and CELIA ]
DUKE SENIOR	Dost thou believe, Orlando, that the boy
	Can do all this that he hath promised?
ORLANDO	I sometimes do believe, and sometimes do not;
	As those that fear they hope, and know they fear.
[Enter ROSALIND, SILVIUS, and PHEBE]
ROSALIND	Patience once more, whiles our compact is urged:
	You say, if I bring in your Rosalind,
	You will bestow her on Orlando here?
DUKE SENIOR	That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her.
ROSALIND	And you say, you will have her, when I bring her?
ORLANDO	That would I, were I of all kingdoms king.	10
ROSALIND	You say, you'll marry me, if I be willing?
PHEBE	That will I, should I die the hour after.
ROSALIND	But if you do refuse to marry me,
	You'll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd?
PHEBE	So is the bargain.
ROSALIND	You say, that you'll have Phebe, if she will?
SILVIUS	Though to have her and death were both one thing.
ROSALIND	I have promised to make all this matter even.
	Keep you your word, O duke, to give your daughter;
	You yours, Orlando, to receive his daughter:	20
	Keep your word, Phebe, that you'll marry me,
	Or else refusing me, to wed this shepherd:
	Keep your word, Silvius, that you'll marry her.
	If she refuse me: and from hence I go,
	To make these doubts all even.
[Exeunt ROSALIND and CELIA]
DUKE SENIOR	I do remember in this shepherd boy
	Some lively touches of my daughter's favour.
ORLANDO	My lord, the first time that I ever saw him
	Methought he was a brother to your daughter:
	But, my good lord, this boy is forest-born,	30
	And hath been tutor'd in the rudiments
	Of many desperate studies by his uncle,
	Whom he reports to be a great magician,
	Obscured in the circle of this forest.
[Enter TOUCHSTONE and AUDREY]
JAQUES	There is, sure, another flood toward, and these
	couples are coming to the ark. Here comes a pair of
	very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools.
TOUCHSTONE	Salutation and greeting to you all!
JAQUES	Good my lord, bid him welcome: this is the
	motley-minded gentleman that I have so often met in	40
	the forest: he hath been a courtier, he swears.
TOUCHSTONE	If any man doubt that, let him put me to my
	purgation. I have trod a measure; I have flattered
	a lady; I have been politic with my friend, smooth
	with mine enemy; I have undone three tailors; I have
	had four quarrels, and like to have fought one.
JAQUES	And how was that ta'en up?
TOUCHSTONE	Faith, we met, and found the quarrel was upon the
	seventh cause.
JAQUES	How seventh cause? Good my lord, like this fellow.	51
DUKE SENIOR	I like him very well.
TOUCHSTONE	God 'ild you, sir; I desire you of the like. I
	press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country
	copulatives, to swear and to forswear: according as
	marriage binds and blood breaks: a poor virgin,
	sir, an ill-favoured thing, sir, but mine own; a poor
	humour of mine, sir, to take that that no man else
	will: rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a
	poor house; as your pearl in your foul oyster.	60
DUKE SENIOR	By my faith, he is very swift and sententious.
TOUCHSTONE	According to the fool's bolt, sir, and such dulcet diseases.
JAQUES	But, for the seventh cause; how did you find the
	quarrel on the seventh cause?
TOUCHSTONE	Upon a lie seven times removed:--bear your body more
	seeming, Audrey:--as thus, sir. I did dislike the
	cut of a certain courtier's beard: he sent me word,
	if I said his beard was not cut well, he was in the
	mind it was: this is called the Retort Courteous.
	If I sent him word again 'it was not well cut,' he
	would send me word, he cut it to please himself:
	this is called the Quip Modest. If again 'it was	73
	not well cut,' he disabled my judgment: this is
	called the Reply Churlish. If again 'it was not
	well cut,' he would answer, I spake not true: this
	is called the Reproof Valiant. If again 'it was not
	well cut,' he would say I lied: this is called the
	Counter-cheque Quarrelsome: and so to the Lie
	Circumstantial and the Lie Direct.
JAQUES	And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut?
TOUCHSTONE	I durst go no further than the Lie Circumstantial,
	nor he durst not give me the Lie Direct; and so we
	measured swords and parted.
JAQUES	Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie?	85
TOUCHSTONE	O sir, we quarrel in print, by the book; as you have
	books for good manners: I will name you the degrees.
	The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the
	Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the
	fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the
	Countercheque Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with
	Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct. All
	these you may avoid but the Lie Direct; and you may
	avoid that too, with an If. I knew when seven
	justices could not take up a quarrel, but when the
	parties were met themselves, one of them thought but
	of an If, as, 'If you said so, then I said so;' and
	they shook hands and swore brothers. Your If is the
	only peacemaker; much virtue in If.
JAQUES	Is not this a rare fellow, my lord? he's as good at
	any thing and yet a fool.	100
DUKE SENIOR	He uses his folly like a stalking-horse and under
	the presentation of that he shoots his wit.
[Enter HYMEN, ROSALIND, and CELIA]
[Still Music]
HYMEN	Then is there mirth in heaven,
	When earthly things made even
	Atone together.
	Good duke, receive thy daughter
	Hymen from heaven brought her,
	Yea, brought her hither,
	That thou mightst join her hand with his
	Whose heart within his bosom is.	110
ROSALIND	[To DUKE SENIOR] To you I give myself, for I am yours.	110
[To ORLANDO]
	To you I give myself, for I am yours.
DUKE SENIOR	If there be truth in sight, you are my daughter.
ORLANDO	If there be truth in sight, you are my Rosalind.
PHEBE	If sight and shape be true,
	Why then, my love adieu!
ROSALIND	I'll have no father, if you be not he:
	I'll have no husband, if you be not he:
	Nor ne'er wed woman, if you be not she.
HYMEN	Peace, ho! I bar confusion:	120
	'Tis I must make conclusion
	Of these most strange events:
	Here's eight that must take hands
	To join in Hymen's bands,
	If truth holds true contents.
	You and you no cross shall part:
	You and you are heart in heart
	You to his love must accord,
	Or have a woman to your lord:
	You and you are sure together,	133
	As the winter to foul weather.
	Whiles a wedlock-hymn we sing,
	Feed yourselves with questioning;
	That reason wonder may diminish,
	How thus we met, and these things finish.
SONG.
	Wedding is great Juno's crown:
	O blessed bond of board and bed!
	'Tis Hymen peoples every town;
	High wedlock then be honoured:
	Honour, high honour and renown,	140
	To Hymen, god of every town!
DUKE SENIOR	O my dear niece, welcome thou art to me!
	Even daughter, welcome, in no less degree.
PHEBE	I will not eat my word, now thou art mine;
	Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine.
[Enter JAQUES DE BOYS]
JAQUES DE BOYS	Let me have audience for a word or two:
	I am the second son of old Sir Rowland,
	That bring these tidings to this fair assembly.
	Duke Frederick, hearing how that every day
	Men of great worth resorted to this forest,	150
	Address'd a mighty power; which were on foot,
	In his own conduct, purposely to take
	His brother here and put him to the sword:
	And to the skirts of this wild wood he came;
	Where meeting with an old religious man,
	After some question with him, was converted
	Both from his enterprise and from the world,
	His crown bequeathing to his banish'd brother,
	And all their lands restored to them again
	That were with him exiled. This to be true,
	I do engage my life.	160
DUKE SENIOR	Welcome, young man;
	Thou offer'st fairly to thy brothers' wedding:
	To one his lands withheld, and to the other
	A land itself at large, a potent dukedom.
	First, in this forest, let us do those ends
	That here were well begun and well begot:
	And after, every of this happy number
	That have endured shrewd days and nights with us
	Shall share the good of our returned fortune,
	According to the measure of their states.	170
	Meantime, forget this new-fall'n dignity
	And fall into our rustic revelry.
	Play, music! And you, brides and bridegrooms all,
	With measure heap'd in joy, to the measures fall.
JAQUES	Sir, by your patience. If I heard you rightly,
	The duke hath put on a religious life
	And thrown into neglect the pompous court?
JAQUES DE BOYS	He hath.
JAQUES	To him will I : out of these convertites
	There is much matter to be heard and learn'd.	180
[To DUKE SENIOR]
	You to your former honour I bequeath;
	Your patience and your virtue well deserves it:
[To ORLANDO]
	You to a love that your true faith doth merit:
[To OLIVER]
	You to your land and love and great allies:
[To SILVIUS]
	You to a long and well-deserved bed:
[To TOUCHSTONE]
	And you to wrangling; for thy loving voyage
	Is but for two months victuall'd. So, to your pleasures:
	I am for other than for dancing measures.
DUKE SENIOR	Stay, Jaques, stay.
JAQUES	To see no pastime I what you would have	190
	I'll stay to know at your abandon'd cave.
[Exit]
DUKE SENIOR	Proceed, proceed: we will begin these rites,
	As we do trust they'll end, in true delights.
[A dance]

Next: As You Like It, Epilogue
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Explanatory notes for Act 5, Scene 4
From As You Like It. Ed. Samuel Thurber, Jr. and Louise Wetherbee. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1922.
(Line numbers have been altered.)
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The concluding scene, which contains the denouement, is to many critics disappointing. The light tone, however, is continued to the end, and we rejoice in the happy ending which is altogether "as we like it."

Line 4. This line rather obscurely aims to describe a mental state of mingled hope and fear.

18. even: straight.

27. lively: lifelike. This brief dialogue shows how nearly Rosalind was discovered. They are both suspicious.

31. rudiments: first principles.

32. desperate: "forbidden by law."

34. obscured: concealed.

Enter Touchstone and Audrey. The scene which follows is needed to give time for Rosalind to make her preparations. Note the manner of Touchstone and also of poor Audrey.

38. Touchstone's bow is that of a true courtier while Audrey, at his prompting, can manage only an awkward courtesy.

42. put ... purgation: challenge me for proof.

43. trod a measure: Remember Young Lochinvar. Touchstone's idea of a courtier shows that he knows them.

50. How seventh cause: Touchstone's instant readiness to start off with a voluble explanation of what looks like a well-adjusted system of causes and lies should not mislead us into attempts to find order and consistency in his account of his quarrel with a certain courtier, and in his explanations of his quarrel in accordance with the rules of quarreling with which he seems so familiar. Remember that his business is to entertain and he is doing it. like this fellow: Jaques enjoys showing off the fool whose praises he so enthusiastically sang in Act II. Note that Touchstone rises to the occasion.

53. I ... like: Allow me to return the compliment. Another bow accompanies this, perhaps several.

56. copulatives: those who wish to be joined together in wedlock.

56. blood: passion. a ... virgin: Can you not imagine Audrey's complete embarrassment as she is introduced to these gentle-folk?

61. swift and sententious: ready and wise.

62. the fool's bolt: A bolt was a blunt arrow. See Henry V, III, 7, 131, you are better at proverbs, by how much "A fool's bolt is soon shot." and ... diseases: Just Touchstone's nonsense. Compare Launcelot's Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning. This sort of absurdity appealed to the London audience.

66. Touchstone, with much relish, plunges into his exposition of the seventh cause, not forgetting to chide poor Audrey, who, in trying to escape notice, is becoming more and more embarrassed.

67. seeming: becomingly.

73. Quip: a sharp retort. Shakespeare uses it frequently. Recall Milton's Quips and cranks and wanton wiles in "Allegro."

78. Countercheck: check or rebuff, as in chess.

83. measured swords: A regular preliminary of a duel with swords was the ceremony of measuring the weapons, that the parties might be seen to be on a footing of perfect equality. Touchstone's duel went as far as measuring the swords.

84. Jaques may well question Touchstone, whom he suspected of making the whole thing up.

86. by the book: There were books, which are still in existence, on the etiquette of quarreling. The particular book to which this passage refers is probably "Vincentio Saviolo his Practise. In two Books. The first intreating of the use of the rapier and Dagger. The second of Honor and honorable Quarrels."

87. books for good manners: books of etiquette. These are not unknown at the present time.

97. swore brothers: This is an allusion to fratres jurati (sworn brothers) of the days of chivalry. This indicated an oath to protect each other.

101. stalking horse: a horse, either real or the figure of one, behind which sportsmen approached their game. The Duke seems to appreciate that Touchstone is satirizing one of the affectations of the times.

102. presentation: cover.

Enter Hymen. Hymen was the god of marriage. We usually associate yellow and white and a blazing torch with him. Imagine the scene, especially the sensation created by Rosalind in her wedding garments. Can you not hear her laugh as she watches Orlando's face? Still music: low, soft music.

106. atone: are at one.

111. What action here?

117. These are Rosalind's last words. Do we, however, forget that she is present?

125. If ... contents: If truth is true.

126. It is not difficult to understand to whom Hymen is speaking in the lines which follow.

132. wedlock hymn: Music always formed a part of wedding ceremonies.

133. Juno's crown: Juno was the presiding goddess of marriage.

143. Even ... degree: The Duke has just called Celia, correctly, his niece. But to express the warmth of his feeling, he goes further and calls her daughter, welcome in no less degree than a real daughter.

144. Phebe finds no difficulty in returning to her old love. eat my word: A very modern expression.

146. Shakespeare tells us of the change in Duke Frederick through the story of Jaques de Boys so that the evil from outside Arden may not penetrate too sharply. How much better this is than in the novel!

150. men of great worth: "Touchstone bows."

151. addressed a mighty power: gathered a great force of armed men.

152. in ... conduct: under his leadership.

156. an old religious man: a hermit. This forest has unending possibilities.

156. question: talk. converted: Duke Frederick is going in to a monastery.

161. engage: pledge.

162. offer 'st fairly: make a goodly present.

163. to the other: Through his marriage to Rosalind Orlando will have a great estate.

164. at large: of great extent.

166. do those ends: accomplish those ends.

168. shrewd: evil.

170. states: estates. Amiens is standing near. Do you remember that he said in Act II, I would not change it? What is his attitude now?

175. Just as the happy couples are finding their places for the measure, Jaques steps forward. There is too much happiness here for him. With apt congratulation to all the bridegrooms he goes. Note that he is a courtier still, even though he prefers to share the life of the convertite.

192. The scene ends in a charming dance. Shakespeare knew well how to make a picturesque conclusion.

QUESTIONS

1. Why are Duke Senior and Orlando such good friends?

2. How does Shakespeare manage suspense in this scene?

3. Discuss the possibility that the Duke and Orlando have already suspected the identity of Rosalind.

4. Why is the scene with Touchstone put just here? How would it be made amusing?

5. Describe the actions of Audrey.

6. Describe fully the scene of the wedding, not forgetting courtiers and countryfolk.

7. Is the Duke pleased with the news brought by Jaques de Boys? Defend your answer.

8. Is there any point in this scene where Jaques forgets to be melancholy ?

9. Comment on the ending.

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How to cite the explanatory notes:
Shakespeare, William. As You Like It. Eds. Samuel Thurber, Jr. and Louise Wetherbee. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1922. Shakespeare Online. 10 Aug. 2010. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/asu_5_4.html >.

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