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As You Like It, Act 3, Scene 4

William Shakespeare
Every note, for your class

The story so far

Earlier in the play

Banished Rosalind lives in Arden disguised as Ganymede, with Celia as Aliena. Orlando writes verses declaring his love for Rosalind. Without revealing herself, Rosalind offers to cure him by having him woo Ganymede as Rosalind; he agrees to visit daily.

In the last scene: Act 3, Scene 3

Touchstone arranges to marry Audrey in the forest, with Sir Oliver Martext officiating. Jaques urges him to marry in church with a better priest. Touchstone privately says an invalid marriage would excuse leaving his wife, but leaves with Audrey and Jaques without marrying.

SCENE IV. Another part of the Forest. Before a Cottage

Enter Rosalind and Celia.
ROSALIND
Never talk to me, I will weep.
CELIA
Do, I prithee, but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man.
ROSALIND
But have I not cause to weep?
CELIA
As good cause as one would desire; therefore weep.
ROSALIND
His very hair is of the dissembling colour.
CELIA
Something browner than Judas’s. Marry, his kisses are Judas’s own children.
ROSALIND
I’ faith, his hair is of a good colour.
CELIA
An excellent colour. Your chestnut was ever the only colour.
ROSALIND
And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread.
CELIA
He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana. A nun of winter’s sisterhood kisses not more religiously; the very ice of chastity is in them.
ROSALIND
But why did he swear he would come this morning, and comes not?
CELIA
Nay, certainly, there is no truth in him.
ROSALIND
Do you think so?
CELIA
Yes. I think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer, but for his verity in love, I do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut.
ROSALIND
Not true in love?
CELIA
Yes, when he is in, but I think he is not in.
ROSALIND
You have heard him swear downright he was.
CELIA
“Was” is not “is”. Besides, the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster. They are both the confirmer of false reckonings. He attends here in the forest on the Duke your father.
ROSALIND
I met the Duke yesterday, and had much question with him. He asked me of what parentage I was. I told him, of as good as he, so he laughed and let me go. But what talk we of fathers when there is such a man as Orlando?
CELIA
O, that’s a brave man! He writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave oaths, and breaks them bravely, quite traverse, athwart the heart of his lover, as a puny tilter, that spurs his horse but on one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose. But all’s brave that youth mounts and folly guides. Who comes here?
Enter Corin.
CORIN
Mistress and master, you have oft enquiredAfter the shepherd that complained of love,Who you saw sitting by me on the turf,Praising the proud disdainful shepherdessThat was his mistress.
CELIA
Well, and what of him?
CORIN
If you will see a pageant truly playedBetween the pale complexion of true loveAnd the red glow of scorn and proud disdain,Go hence a little, and I shall conduct you,If you will mark it.
ROSALIND
O, come, let us remove.The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.Bring us to this sight, and you shall sayI’ll prove a busy actor in their play.
Exeunt.

Characters

Speaking

  • 11 speeches
  • 11 speeches
  • 2 speeches

Mentioned

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Themes

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Questions on this scene

  • Reading

    When does Rosalind say Orlando promises to come?

Locations

  • The shepherd's cottage and pastures?Scene

    The rural property that Celia purchases through Corin, providing a home for herself and Rosalind within the forest's pastoral world. Its cottage, sheep and surrounding pastures are not geographically identifiable.

    Set here

Also mentioned

  • Forest of Arden?4 quotes in this scene · characters travel here or from here