As You Like It, Act 4 scene 2 - Which is he that killed the deer

As You Like It

Please see the bottom of the page for extensive explanatory notes and other helpful As You Like It resources.

ACT IV SCENE II	The forest.
[Enter JAQUES, Lords, and Foresters]
JAQUES	Which is he that killed the deer?
A Lord	Sir, it was I.
JAQUES	Let's present him to the duke, like a Roman
	conqueror; and it would do well to set the deer's
	horns upon his head, for a branch of victory. Have	5
	you no song, forester, for this purpose?
Forester	Yes, sir.
JAQUES	Sing it: 'tis no matter how it be in tune, so it
	make noise enough.
SONG.
Forester	What shall he have that kill'd the deer?	10
	His leather skin and horns to wear.
	Then sing him home;
[The rest shall bear this burden]
	Take thou no scorn to wear the horn;
	It was a crest ere thou wast born:
	Thy father's father wore it,	15
	And thy father bore it:
	The horn, the horn, the lusty horn
	Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.
[Exeunt]

Next: As You Like It, Act 4, Scene 3
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Explanatory notes for Act 4, Scene 2
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 scene is an opportunity for a song made by the two hours of Orlando's absence.

Line 3. like ... conqueror: A conquering general in Rome returned in triumph with branches of laurel typifying victory. Thus we have the suggestion of the antlers.

13. Take ... scorn: do not be ashamed.

QUESTIONS

1. What makes the charm of this scene?

2. Would you have them bring on a deer? Why?

3. Why did Shakespeare put the scene here?

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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_4_2.html >.

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