As You Like It: Act 5, Scene 1-4 - Summary

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Act 5, Scene 1

      Audrey and Touchstone are conversing, with Audrey regretting that they had not been married earlier by the adequate priest. Audrey then confirms that William "lays claim to" but has "no interest in" her, and Touchstone prepares to belittle him with wit. After conversing inconsequentially, the fool concludes by threatening thee hapless William with death if he should try to maintain relations with Audrey.

Act 5, Scene 2

      Oliver discusses his new found adoration for Celia (as Aliena) with Orlando, also telling his younger brother that he intends to remain in the forest and live the life of a humble shepherd; if he does, Orlando will inherit their father's estate. Upon Rosalind's arrival, Orlando, who refers to the 'greater wonders' related to him by his brother and may thus be aware of Rosalind's disguise - rues the fact that his brother gets to enjoy his love in the Present. Orlando states that he "can live no longer by thinking" that is, about his absent love. Rosalind, as Ganymede, then relates how she has long "conversed with a magician and promises that she will bring the true Rosalind the following day.

      Silvius and Phebe then arrive, with Silvius professing his love for her, while she professes her love for Ganymede and Orlando once more professes his love for Rosalind. Rosalind then promises to resolve all of their conflicts of love the following day, presenting the intended outcome in such a witty way that everyone is content.

Act 5, Scene 3

      Touchstone and Audrey look forward to their coming wedding, with two of Duke Senior's pages arriving and singing the company a song about love and springtime. Touchstone concludes their tune with some sardonic remarks about the time he just wasted.

      Among a number of motion picture versions of As You Like It, one of the most notable was produced by International Allied in 1936, directed by Paul Czinner. It features the renowned Laurence Olivier as Orlando in his first Shakespeare role on film, as well as Elisabeth Bergner playing Rosalind.

      An educational video entitled "As You Like It": An Introduction was produced by BHE Education in 1969, offering performances of key scenes from the comedy, accompanied by brief instructional narratives.

      A television adaptation of As You Like It was produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1979, as distributed by Time-Life Video. It was directed by Brian Coleman and stars Helen Mirren as Rosalind.

      Kenneth Branagh directed a film version of As You Like It that was released in 2006, as produced by Picturehouse featuring such renowned stars as Bryce Dallas Howard (Rosalind), Kevin Kline (aques), and Alfred Molina (Touchstone).

Act 5, Scene 4

      In the closing scene, Duke Senior, Jaques, Orlando, Oliver, Silvius, Phebe, Celia, and Rosalind are gathered, with Rosalind receiving confirmation from everyone that they will agree to the various proposed unions. The two disguised women then leave, with Duke Senior and Orlando commenting upon Ganymede's resemblance to Rosalind.

      Touchstone and Audrey then arrive, with Jaques praising the fool's wit. Touchstone frames his acceptance of Audrey as a noble deed, then goes on to relate a quarrel he had, naming all of the retorts and reproofs according to the conventions of rhetoric; Jaques proves interested enough to ask for a recounting of the seven "degrees of the lie".

      At last, the undisguised Rosalind and Celia arrive, led by Hymen, the Greek god of marriage, who speaks in blank verse with three or four feet per line, as opposed to Shakespeare's usual iambic pentameter, which has five feet. After Duke Senior and Orlando rejoice in Rosalind's appearance, Hymen proceeds to wed each of the four couples: Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Silvius and Phebe, and Touchstone and Audrey. After a 'wedlock hymn', Jaques de Boys, the brother between Oliver and Orlando, arrives to announce news: Duke Frederick, having embarked on a military journey into the forest in search of the banished Duke Senior, was converted to goodness by "an old religious man" and bequeathed the crown and all his land back to his brother. Duke Senior implores the company to fully enjoy the "rustic revelry" before returning to courtly life. The philosophizing Jaques then bids farewell to the company, naming the good fortunes that all the men have happened upon, to join the converted Duke Frederick, from whom he expects "there is much matter to be heard and learned". The play closes with dancing.

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