Book Club - Shakespeare Read-Along
As You Like It
Act 5, Scene 1
Touchstone and Audrey are talking about getting married when he asks about another man who claims her, enter William. After talking briefly, Touchstone tells him that he is going to marry Audrey and William should "abandon the society of this female, or clown, thy perishest."
Corin then enters and tells them Rosalind is asking for them.
Act 5, Scene 2
Oliver and Orlando are discussing how Oliver has fallen in love with Aliena/Celia.
"Is't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her?"
Much like Orlando fell for Rosalind... Oliver tells him he shall have the house and revenue of Sir Rowland if he can only have Aliena.
As Gaynmede enters, Orlando tells Oliver he shall be wed tomorrow. He then talks to Rosalind about his wound, and the marriage.
"Why then, tomorrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind?"
But he cannot fake it anymore, so she tells of her magician uncle and that tomorrow he will have his true Rosalind.
Enter Silvius and Phebe, whom Rosalind invites into the wedding party. But Phebe wants Ganymede still, so Rosalind makes them all agree to show up tomorrow for the one they love.
Act 5, Scene 3
Touchstone and Audrey talking about getting married tomorrow, when two of the Duke's pages show up. They sing a song about a lover and his lass. Touchstone calls it a waste of time once done.
Act 5, Scene 4
Everyone is gathering with the Duke. Ganymede approaches him and confirms that he will give his Rosalind to Orlando, and tells Phebe if, in the end, she refuses to marry him she has to marry Silvius. She tells everyone to wait and then departs.
The Duke comments on how this shepherd boy reminds him of his daughter, and Orlando agrees he thought the boy was a brother to Rosalind.
As Touchstone and Audrey arrive, Jacques remarks:
"There is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark."
He and Touchstone talk about quarrels before Hymen enters with Rosalind as herself along with Celia. She approaches her father and Orlando.
"To you I give myself, for I am yours."
After the choric song, Jacques de Boys arrives with news. Duke Frederick had gathered an army to come to the forest after hearing of so many people leaving court. But along the way he was converted by a religious man and resigned his crown to Duke Senior. Jacques decides he will go to the Duke, "out of these convertites there is much matter to be heard and learned." With a blessing to Senior, Orlando, Oliver, Silvius, and Touchstone, he leaves.
And so Duke Senior proceeds with the marriage rites:
Orlando to Rosalind
Oliver to Celia
Touchstone to Audrey
Silvius to Phebe
In Rosalind's epilogue she makes a joke about the fact that a male, at the time, would be playing the part:
"If I were a woman, I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me."
*
And that's that!! Thank you so much for reading along and sharing your commentaries!!
We'll do this again sometime!
Comments
Post a Comment