As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 1

William Shakespeare

Every note, for your class

The story so far

Earlier in the play

Frederick seeks the missing women and Orlando; Oliver has plotted to kill his brother.

In the last scene: Act 2, Scene 7

Orlando demands food, then brings Adam; Duke Senior welcomes both and learns Orlando is Sir Rowland’s son.

SCENE I. A Room in the Palace

Enter Duke Frederick, Lords and Oliver.

DUKE FREDERICK

Not see him since? Sir, sir, that cannot be.But were I not the better part made mercy,I should not seek an absent argumentOf my revenge, thou present. But look to it:Find out thy brother wheresoe’er he is.Seek him with candle. Bring him dead or livingWithin this twelvemonth, or turn thou no moreTo seek a living in our territory.Thy lands, and all things that thou dost call thineWorth seizure, do we seize into our hands,Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother’s mouthOf what we think against thee.

This phrase boasts that mercy makes up most of Frederick. A few lines later the second phrase grabs all of Oliver's lands, which shows the boast is empty.

Frederick equates manly authority with seizure of land and persons.

Frederick disbelieves Oliver’s claim not to have seen Orlando and threatens to punish Oliver instead.

Frederick seizes property because he suspects wrongdoing, not because he has proof. His command shows how unfairly he uses his power.

The command alludes to Luke 15:8, where a woman who has lost a silver coin lights a candle and searches diligently until she finds it.

The speech ends on a short half-line about what Frederick only thinks. This admits he has no proof, yet he has already taken Oliver's lands.

The Duke claims 'mercy' as the masculine 'better part' even while threatening.

Oliver must bring back his brother Orlando within a year, dead or alive, or face banishment.

Frederick confiscates Oliver’s property until Orlando can clear him of suspicion.

OLIVER

O that your highness knew my heart in this:I never loved my brother in my life.

DUKE FREDERICK

More villain thou. Well, push him out of doors,And let my officers of such a natureMake an extent upon his house and lands.Do this expediently, and turn him going.

Exeunt.

Characters

Speaking

2 speeches
1 speech

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Themes

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Questions on this scene

Reading
Whom does Duke Frederick order Oliver to find?
Reading
Reading

Locations

Duke Frederick's court?Scene
The unnamed court where Orlando defeats Charles in wrestling, meets Rosalind, and attracts her affection. Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind, prompting her flight with Celia and Touchstone.
Set here · 4 quotes in this scene

Also mentioned

Oliver's house and orchard?2 quotes in this scene · characters travel here or from here