As You Like It Read Online Free PDF Page A

various forms. As Celia and Rosalind banter about love, revealing their quick wit, they are interrupted by Touchstone. The jester joins in the ladies’ witty exchange, quipping about wise fools and foolish wise men (reinforcing a wider theme of “exchanged roles” and raising a key motif of fools and foolishness). They are joined by Monsieur Le Beau, who tells them of the “sport” at the wrestling match, a language choice that echoes Rosalind’s earlier use of the term in conjunction with love, creating a parallel between sport and courtship. Le Beau reports that Charles has defeated three men and there is to be another bout. Celia and Rosalind decide to watch.
    Lines 128–233: The ladies comment on Charles’ youthful challenger (the disguised Orlando). Duke Frederick has tried to dissuade him from fighting, and suggests that the ladies may be able to “move him.” Orlando thanks the ladies but insists that he will fight, declaring that his “place” in the world “may be better supplied” by someone else if he dies. Orlando defeats Charles and reveals that he is “the youngest son of Rowland de Bois.” Frederick’s attitude changes: he and Orlando’s father were enemies. When Frederick has left, Rosalind explains that de Bois was a loyal friend of her father. Celia is ashamed of Duke Frederick’s “rough and envious” behavior and praises Orlando. Rosalind gives him a chain from around her neck as a favor, a gesture that reinforces ideas of courtly romance. The ladies take their leave and Orlando tries to stop them. Rosalind, clearly smitten with Orlando, stays briefly to tell him that he has “overthrown / More than [his] enemies.”
    Lines 234–266: Orlando realizes that he, too, is “overthrown,” and says that “passion” rendered him unable to talk to Rosalind. Le Beau urges Orlando to leave. He explains that Duke Frederick is temperamental. Orlando asks about the two ladies. Le Beau describes Celia and reveals that the other lady is “daughter to the banished duke.” He adds that the love between the two of them is “dearer than the natural bond of sisters,” again presenting a female love to contrast with the male enmity seen so far. He explains that Frederick has recently “ta’en displeasure” against Rosalind because the people “praise her for her virtues,” creating a parallel between Rosalind and Orlando, who is disliked by Oliver for similar reasons. Le Beau warns that Frederick’s “malice” against Rosalind “Will suddenly break forth.” He leaves Orlando musing on “heavenly Rosalind.”
ACT 1 SCENE 3
    Lines 1–88: Celia questions whether Rosalind can have fallen in love with Orlando “on such a sudden.” They are interrupted by Duke Frederick, who abruptly tells Rosalind that she is banished from the court. Bewildered, Rosalind asks for an explanation and Frederickreplies that she is her “father’s daughter, there’s enough,” a statement that reinforces the theme of inheritance, as does Rosalind’s retort that “Treason is not inherited.” Celia pleads with her father, claiming that she and Rosalind are “coupled and inseparable.” Frederick is unmoved, saying that Celia is a “fool” and reiterating Rosalind’s banishment before he leaves.
    Lines 89–140: Celia announces that her father has banished them both—she and Rosalind are “one” and cannot be “sundered.” She suggests that they go into the forest to find Rosalind’s father. Rosalind points out that two “Maids” such as themselves would be in danger, as “Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.” Celia suggests they disguise themselves “in poor and mean attire” for safety. Rosalind agrees, deciding that she will disguise herself as a man, with a “swashing and a martial outside” to conceal her “hidden woman’s fear,” emphasizing the theme of disguise/concealment and raising the issue of gender identity. She announces that she will be called “Ganymede,” and