As U Like It Short and Ex Mix

AS YOU LIKE IT ‐ SHAKESPEARE
Act 1 Scene 1
Q 1: Read the extract and answer the following.
Orlando: As I remember, Adam, ,it was upon this fashion: (he) bequeathed me by will but poor a
thousand crowns, and, as thou sayest charged my brother, on his blessing, to breed me well: and there
begins my sadness.
1. Who is Adam? How is he related to the brother?
Ans: Adam is an old family servant of Sir Rowland de Boys. He had been a faithful and honest servant for
many years.
He referred to here is Sir Rowland de Boys. The brother mentioned by Orlando is his elder brother
Oliver, Sir Rowland de Boys’ eldest son.
2. What does Orlando mean by saying there begins my sadness?
Ans: Sir Rowland de Boys had granted one thousand crowns to Orlando by will. He had given Oliver the
responsibility to look after Orlando. Despite this, Oliver denied him his part of the will and thus, he
deprived Orlando of the place of a brother, of education, and of a proper living. So, Orlando did not
grow up with the love of a brother.
3. What are the grievances Orlando points out to Adam?
Ans: Orlando complained to Adam that Oliver had been cruel to him and had kept him like a peasant.
Oliver denied Orlando his rightful education and training in spite of being of noble birth. His life was no
better than that of an ox. He also that Oliver’s horses were bred better and that the trainers were paid
well whereas Orlando gained nothing but physical growth. He seemed to lose his natural abilities. He
was forced to feed with the farm labourers. Oliver did not treat Orlando las his brother but like a slave.
4. How does Orlando feel about the grievances and what does he plan?
Ans: Orlando declared that he could not bear the injustice of his brother towards him anymore. He was
furious about his upbringing as a farm labourer. His nature was more like his father’s. He was brave,
strong, fearless and noble. He felt that his father’s virtuous and gentle spirit within him was ready to
revolt against Oliver’s ill treatment. He could not tolerate the servile condition anymore although he did
not have a practical plan to end it.
5. Who entered just after this conversation and describe what happened between him and Orlando.
Ans: Oliver entered just after this conversation. Oliver rebuked Orlando for not being worthy of any
work. Orlando accused Oliver of the unfair treatment meted out to him. At this, Oliver stroke Orlando,
but Orlando, being stronger than Oliver, held him in a wrestler’s grip. Orlando threatened Oliver that he
would not let go unless Oliver would promise to take proper care of him or gave him the thousand
crowns he had inherited. At this juncture, Oliver agreed to pay and Orlando left him.
Q 2: Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Orlando: I am no villain; I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de boys; he was my father and he is thrice
a villain that says such a father begot villains. Wert thou not my brother, I would not take this hand from
thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so: thou hast railed on thyself.
1. Who is the person to whom these lines are spoken to? Who else is present there? Where are they?
Ans: The above lines are spoken to Oliver, the envious brother of Orlando.
Adam, the faithful family servant is also present there.
They are in an orchard near Oliver’s house.
2. What kind of relation does Orlando share with his brother? Why?
Ans: Oliver is the eldest son of Sir Rowland De Boys. He was entrusted with the duty of upbringing of his
brother Orlando, in which he failed. Oliver denied Orlando’s education and the thousand crowns given
to him by his father. Oliver was jealous and wicked, thus Orlando suffered at the hands of his envious
brother. Oliver had no respect or love for Orlando.
Oliver hated Orlando because of his virtues and goodness that made him popular and loved by all. His
good qualities were a threat to Oliver who was greedy and selfish.
3. Explain the circumstances which led to the above situation.
Ans: Oliver compelled Orlando to live a rustic life. Orlando had suffered for long. He planned to rebel
against his malicious brother who had not treated him as a gentleman of noble birth. Orlando
demanded his inheritance so that he could set out on his own. But Oliver had a personal grudge towards
Orlando and did not agree to his demands. Instead,he stroke Orlando in anger. Orlando held him in a
wrestler’s grip and Oliver retaliated by calling him a villain.
4. Who tries to intervene? What does he say?
Ans: Adam tries to intervene. He is the old family servant of Sir Rowland de Boys, and is faithful to
Orlando.
Adam says that the brothers should make peace between each other for the sake of their honourable
father.
5. What does Orlando accuse his brother of just after the extract? How does he show that the spirit of
his father grows strong in him?
Ans: Orlando accused Oliver that he never fulfilled his responsibility and neglected Orlando’s upbringing.
He had been treated like a farm labourer and Oliver had hindered the growth of gentleman like qualities
in Orlando.
Orlando would no longer bear the unfair treatment meted out to him. Sir Rowland De Boys was noble
and honourable and Orlando would not let down this temperament which he also possessed.
Charles: Good morrow to your worship.
Oliver: Good Monsieur Charles, what’s the new news at the new court?
1. Who is Charles? Who brings him in to meet Oliver? Where are they?
Ans: Charles is the court wrestler to Duke Frederick.
Dennis, the servant to Oliver brings him there.
They are in an orchard near Oliver’s house.
2. What old news does Charles give to Oliver?
Ans: Charles reported that the old Duke Senior had been banished by his younger brother, the new
Duke. Three or four loyal lords had voluntarily gone with the Duke. As a result, the land and revenues of
those lords became the property of the new Duke.
3. What were the three other questions which Oliver asked Charles?
Ans: Oliver asked if Rosalind, the Duke’s daughter had been banished too, the second question was
about the Duke as to where would he live during his banishment. Lastly, Oliver enquired whether
Charles would wrestle before the new Duke Frederick.
4. Why has Charles come to meet Oliver?
Ans: A wrestling bout was to take place between Charles and Orlando. Charles was the champion court
wrestler. It is revealed here that he was vain yet kind. He came to meet Oliver to ask him to dissuade
Orlando from the wrestling match. He was unaware that Oliver had a grudge against Orlando. He was
afraid that Orlando being inexperienced, would be badly injured during the fight. He notified Oliver that
he would fight for his credit and would have no mercy on his opponent.
5. How does Oliver reveal his wickedness during his conversation with Charles?
Ans: Oliver’s malicious character is revealed here. He was mean‐minded and envious towards his noble
minded younger brother Orlando. Oliver slandered him and incited Charles the wrestler. His
contemptuous attitude is revealed when he wanted Orlando to get killed by the champion wrestler. He
provoked Charles against Orlando, and also warned Charles that if he underestimated his opponent, it
would prove murderous for him.
Oliver: I’ll tell thee, Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France; full of ambition, an envious
emulator of every man’s good parts, a secret and villainous contriver against me, his natural brother:
therefore use thy discretion.
1. Where are Oliver and Charles now? Who is the stubbornest young fellow of France?
Ans: Oliver and Charles are in an orchard near Oliver’s house.
Orlando is the stubbornest fellow of France, according to his brother Orlando.
2. What is the real truth about the person spoken about?
Ans: Orlando is the person spoken of here. He is humble, generous and popular. Oliver is jealous of
Orlando, and his avarice led him to slander him. Oliver utters sheer lies about his younger brother.
Oliver is greedy and power hungry, so Orlando’s gentleman‐like qualities are a threat to him. He
conspires against Orlando secretly and wants him to be killed.
3. Explain the meaning of
1) an rnvious emulator
2) a villainous contriver
Ans: An envious emulator means a jealous rival. Orlando is being referred to as a jealous rival of
a man’s good qualities.
A villainous contriver means a wicked plotter. This has again been used for Orlando by his
brother.
4. How does Oliver describe his natural brother to Charles?
Ans: Oliver treated his natural brother Orlando with contempt. He slandered about him to Charles and
incited Charles against Orlando. Oliver warned Charles that Orlando was the stubbornest young fellow of
France and was determined to kill Charles. His secret attempts to dissuade Orlando had failed. He lied to
Charles that Orlando was over‐ambitious, a jealous rival and a conspirer. Charles should not treat
Orlando with honour during the wrestling match because Orlando would retaliate and kill Charles. He
went on to say that if Orlando’s true character was revealed in detail, then Charles would be horrified
and Oliver would be in tears.
5. According to Oliver, why should Charles be afraid of the person spoken of? How far is he correct
about his warning?
Ans: Charles, the wrestler is warned by Oliver that Orlando would take any opportunity to show his
wresting skills and defeat Charles. If Charles underestimated him and Orlando remained alive, then in
some way or the other, Orlando would get Charles killed in a secret way or poison him.
Orlando is partially correct about his warning. Orlando was powerful, strong and resolute. He would win
the bout of wrestling whether it was Charles or anyone else but Oliver lied to Charles about Orlando that
he would murder Charles if he remained alive.
Oliver: Now will I stir this gamester. I hope I shall see an end of him; for my soul, yet I know not why,
hates nothing more than he.
1. To whom are the above lines spoken to? Who is the gamester? Who has just left?
Ans: The above extract is Oliver’s soliloquy in the play.
Orlando is the gamester. Charles the court wrestler has just left.
2. Why does Oliver wish to see an end of him?
Ans: Oliver suffers from avarice, malice and jealousy, and hates his brother Orlando. Orlando is more
popular and is loved by the people. His nobility and generosity are a threat to Oliver. Nothing would be
better for Oliver than to see the death of Olrlando at the wrestling match the following day.
3. List out three good qualities of the person spoken about in this extract as told by Oliver.
Ans: In this soliloquy, Olive highlights that Orlando was not educated yet learned, gentle, noble and so
much more popular among his people.
4. Oliver’s character is revealed in this scene. Discuss.
Ans: Oliver was the eldest of the three sons of Sir Rowland de Boys. He was envious of Orlando. He
illtreated
Orlando and did not educate him. He was selfish and unjust and had no intention of giving the
thousand crowns allotted to Orlando by his father. He treated the old family servant Adam with
disrespect. He was slanderous and attempted to get Orlando killed.
5. Which event has been hinted at by Oliver? What promise did the person who left before the extract
make to Oliver?
Oliver hinted at the wrestling bout which was to take place before the new Duke Frederick. Charles had
been convincingly persuaded by Oliver to kill Orlando. Charles promised that after his bout, Orlando
would not be able to walk without help and if such was not, Charles would give up his profession.
Act 1 Scene 2
Q1. Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Celia: Herein I see thou lovest me not with the full weight that I love thee. If my uncle, thy banished
father, had banished thy uncle, the duke, my father, so thou hadst been still with me, I could have taught
my love to take thy father for mine: so wouldst thou, if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously
tempered as mine is to thee.
1. Where is Celia and with whom? Who is the banished father and the uncle?
Ans: Celia is in a garden in front of the Duke’s palace. She is with Rosalind, her cousin and Duke Senior’s
daughter. Rosalind’s father, Duke Senior is the banished father spoken of here and Celia’s father, Duke
Frederick is the uncle who has been mentioned here.
2. Why does Celia speak these lines? What is the mood of the person to whom these lines are addressed
to?
Ans: Celia tries to cheer up her cousin Rosalind whose father Duke Senior had been deposed by Celia’s
father.
Rosalind is sad. As her father Duke Senior has been banished to the Forest of Arden by the usurping
Duke Frederick. She is unable to cope up with the injustice done to her father.
3. What does Celia promise to do for the person addressed to? What would happen if she broke the oath?
Ans: Celia told Rosalind that she should not be upset because when Celia would inherit the kingdom
from the usurping Duke, she would return it to Rosalind, the rightful heir.
Celia said that if she does not fulfill the promise to return the kingdom, she would turn into a monster.
4. What sports does her cousin plan? What is Celia’s reply?
Ans: Rosalind is her cousin and she decides to play the game of falling in love as a pastime. Celia
hesitates to play this game. She advises Rosalind not to be serious about it or it will lead to shame and
humiliation.
5. What sport does Celia propose to indulge in? What is discussed in the conversation that follows?
Ans: Celia says that they should make fun of the Goddess of Fortune who does not distribute her
bounties fairly.
Rosalind and Celia discussed about the Goddesses of Nature and Fortune. Rosalind said that Fortune
played her part in the distribution of bounties like wealth and fame whereas Nature awarded natural
qualities like beauty and virtue. Celia said that Fortune could make a beautiful person fall into fire and
lose her beauty. It is Nature who gave them the wit to make fun of the Goddesses and the sudden
appearance of Touchstone was Fortune’s part.
No? when Nature hath made a fair creature, may she not by Fortune fall into the fire? Though Nature
hath given us wit to flout at Fortune, hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument?
1. Who speaks these words and to whom? Where are they at present?
Ans: Celia speaks these words to Rosalind. They are in a garden in front of the Duke’s palace.
2. What reference has been given to Nature and Fortune in the extract?
Ans: Celia and Rosalind decide to pass their time by mocking Nature and Fortune. Celia is of the opinion
that the goddess of Fortune shall be driven out from her wheels because she does not distribute her
bounties equally. According to Rosalind, the goddess of Fortune cannot endow the qualities in a
person’s nature. Fortune can change wealth and fame but not one’s nature.
3. Who enters during this conversation? What does the person tell Celia?
Ans: Touchstone, the professional fool enters during this conversation. He tells Celia that she must go to
her father. Celia inquires whether he is sent by her father; he answers that he is not.
4. What does Celia mean by saying for always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits?
Ans: Celia addresses Touchstone’s foolishness. She says that Nature and Fortune has sent Touchstone so
that his stupidity can act as a grindstone to sharpen their wits.
5. What kind of a bond exists between Celia and Touchstone as is revealed later in the act?
Ans: A bond of trust exists between Celia and Touchstone. Later in the act, when Rosalind and Celia plan
to escape from the Duke’s palace, Touchstone accompanies them. Rosalind puts the idea through to
Celia to take Touchstone with them. Celia says with full confidence that Touchstone will accompany her
anywhere in the world. She trusts him and he will be helpful to them in the unknown Forest of Arden.
Q3. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
Enter Le Beau
Bon jour, Monsieur Le Beau: what’s the news?
1 .Who is Le Beau? Which other characters are present? Where are they?
Ans: Le Beau is an enthusiastic attendant of Duke Frederick. He is known for being informative and
possessing a pompous way of talking.
Rosalind, Celia and Touchstone are present in this scene.
They are in a lawn before the Duke’s palace where a wrestling match is due to take place.
2. What news does Le Beau bring forth? Why is he amazed?
Ans: Le Beau brought the news of a wrestling match in which Charles the champion wrestler had broken
the ribs of three sons of an old man. He also said that the best part of the match was yet to take place.
He was amazed at the remarks made by Touchstone, Celia and Rosalind.
3. What does Le Beau mean by saying the best is yet to do?
Ans: Le Beau is speaking to Rosalind and Celia about the wrestling that they have missed. He meant that
the beginning of the wrestling match was not as interesting as the one which was to take place and they
should watch it.
4 .Which adjectives are used by Le Beau to describe the three young men? Describe the match they
fought with Charles as related by Le Beau.
Ans: Le Beau uses the words Three proper young men, of excellent growth and presence.
Le Beau related that an old man entered with his three sons. The eldest of the three wrestled with
Charles and in a moment Charles threw down and broke his ribs with little chances of his survival.
Charles did the same thing with the other two sons of the old man. He said that they lay there with the
old man grief‐stricken, lamenting over their conditions and the people who passed by too shed tears.
5. Bring out the humour exhibited by one of the characters during this conversation.
Ans: Touchstone the court jester, Rosalind and Celia were in conversation with Le Beau. When Le Beau
described the gruesome wrestling match between Charles and the three young men, Touchstone asked
him which fun sport he thought of describing to the ladies when he had come. Le Beau answered that it
was the same wrestling match in which Charles had broken the ribs of the young men .Touchstone
brought out the humour and remarked that he gained wisdom that breaking of ribs was a sport for the
ladies.
Come on: since the youth will not be entreated, his own peril on his forwardness.
1 .Who is the speaker? Which other characters are present there? Who is the youth spoken about?
Ans: Duke Frederick is the speaker. Rosalind, Celia and Le Beau are present .Orlando is the youth who is
being spoken about.
2. What is the occasion for their presence? Why was the speaker concerned about the youth?
Ans: Charles the Duke’s wrestler is about to fight Orlando, an amateur in wrestling. The Duke, Rosalind
and Celia have come to witness the match.
The Duke is aware that Orlando is not an equal to the skills of Charles who is a professional wrestler. He
knows that Orlando is too young, and wants him to withdraw from the match so that he does not suffer
at the hands of the wrestler.
3. Who asks whom to dissuade the youth to refrain from the bout? What stance does this person take
against the youth later in the play?
Ans: Duke Frederick asks Rosalind and Celia to speak to the youth and convince him not to fight with
Charles. Later in the play when the Duke comes to know that Orlando was the son of his enemy Sir
Rowland de Boys, he shows immense displeasure towards him. He even suspects that Orlando has
helped Rosalind and Celia escape.
4. How does the youth react to the people who try and dissuade from the match?
Ans: Orlando is determined to fight the challenge. Rosalind and Celia try to convince him not to fight
Charles but Orlando tells them with due respect that he can not comply with the request of the
beautiful ladies. Instead he wants the support of their lovely eyes and good wishes. If he suffers defeat,
it will come to one who was never praised, one who had all the will to die, and no friends to cry for him.
He says that his death would be no loss as he would be replaced by a more worthy individual.
Q5.Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Rosalind:
He calls us back: my pride fell with my fortunes; I’ll ask him what he would. Did you call, sir? Sir, you
have wrestled well, and overthrown more than your enemies.
1. Who is present there with Rosalind? Where are they? Who is Rosalind speaking about?
Ans: Celia is present with Rosalind. They are in a lawn in front of the Duke’s palace. Rosalind is speaking
about Orlando.
2. What does Rosalind mean by saying my pride fell with my fortunes?
Ans: Rosalind says that she parted with all her dignity when misfortunes overtook her. She had fallen in
love with Orlando and she felt that he had called.
3. What does Rosalind give sir and why? What does she say about her misfortune?
Ans: Rosalind gives Orlando a chain as a gift for his victory against Charles. She also says that she has
fallen in love with Orlando.
She said that she had been a victim of misfortune so she could not give something more valuable to
Orlando.
4. What does quintain mean? Why does the sir addressed in the scene compare himself with a quintain?
Ans: A quintain is a dummy wooden figure which horse‐riders use to practice tilting.
Orlando had fallen in love with Rosalind and he was tongue‐tied with the emotion. He could not speak
when Rosalind rewarded him a chain for his victory against Charles. He stood like a dummy or a quintain
before her, not knowing what to say.
5. What does the person say about Rosalind when she leaves the scene?
Ans: Orlando is attracted to Rosalind at first sight. He realizes that a powerful emotion had swept him
off and he could not speak to Rosalind to thank her. He says to himself that he was defeated either with
the after effects of the fight with Charles or with feeling of love for Rosalind.
Orlando: I thank you, sir; and pray you, tell me this: Which of the two was daughter of the duke, that
here was at the wrestling?
Le Beau: Neither his daughter, if we judge by manners:
1 .Who is Orlando and Le Beau? Where are they?
Ans: Orlando is the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys. He is Oliver’s brother and suffers under him.
He is gentle and humble. Orlando does not receive a proper upbringing under Oliver.
Le Beau is a courtier and a favourite attendant of the Duke Frederick. In this scene, he is a mouthful of
news and brings a lot of information.
They are in a garden in front of the Duke’s palace just after the wrestling match gets over.
3. Which Duke is being referred to here by Orlando? Why does Orlando want to know about the
daughter?
Ans: Duke Frederick the usurper has been referred here by Orlando.
Celia and Rosalind had both met Orlando. He was snubbed by the Duke for being Sir Rowland de Boys’
son. He had fallen in love with Rosalind and so he wanted to remove his doubts about her father.
3. What does Le Beau mean in the given extract? Explain.
Ans: Le Beau knows the Duke’s nature. He means that Celia is a good natured lady whereas the Duke is
selfish and rude. The character of the Duke and his daughter are different.
4. Why does Orlando thank Le Beau? Which danger does Orlando talk about at the end of the scene?
Ans: Le Beau advised Orlando that the Duke’s displeasure would result in an enmity so Orlando should
leave the court immediately. He also told Orlando that lately the Duke had turned hostile towards his
niece because she was more popular than his daughter.
Orlando talked about his tyrant brother Oliver who was the other danger apart from his new enemy, the
wicked Duke.
Act 1 Scene 3
Celia: No, thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs; throw some of them at me; come; lame
me with reasons.
Rosalind: Then there were two cousins laid up; when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other
mad without any.
1. Introduce the two characters. Where are they?
Ans: Rosalind is the daughter of the banished Duke Senior and Celia is the daughter of the tyrant Duke
Frederick. They are in a room in the palace.
2. In what mood is Rosalind now?
Ans: Rosalind is in love with Orlando. She confesses her love to Celia. She has just met Orlando after the
wrestling match and is impressed by him.
3. What reasons does Rosalind give for her mood?
Ans: Rosalind’s love for Orlando has turned intense. When Celia asks her the reason for being so quiet,
she answers that she was affected by her passionate love for Orlando. She does not mention the
sadness for her father, the banished Duke. In fact, she mentions Orlando as her child’s father for whom
she is so passionate.
4. How would the two cousins be laid up according to Rosalind?
Ans: Laid up means affected. Rosalind would be crippled with worries and tensions for her love and Celia
would have no reason to become tensed.
5. What advice does Celia give Rosalind? What is Rosalind’s reaction?
Ans: Celia is surprised by the intense love which Rosalind has for Orlando. She advises Rosalind to
wrestle with her affection and suppress her feelings. She explains that Rosalind shall gain some self
control this way. Though Rosalind agrees to Celia yet she says that the burrs were not in her clothes but
in her heart.
Enter Duke Frederick, with Lords.
Duke Frederick: Mistress, dispatch you with your safest haste, And get you from our Court.
1. Where is the Duke? Whom is he speaking to?
Ans: Duke is in a room in the palace. He is speaking to Rosalind and Celia.
2. What remarks does Celia make when the Duke enters?
Ans: Celia remarks that the Duke entered with blazing eyes, i.e. full of anger.
3. What does the Duke mean by saying dispatch you with your safest haste?
Ans: The Duke was in extreme anger. He showed displeasure towards Rosalind, asking her to leave the
court as quickly as possible with all her possessions.
4. Why did the Duke show displeasure to the person spoken to? Who else did he show displeasure to?
Ans: The Duke was jealous of Rosalind. He felt that Rosalind’s goodness and popularity would affect
Celia, his daughter. Rosalind became the victim of his tyranny and was asked to leave the court. Duke
Frederick had earlier shown displeasure towards Orlando, who was Sir Rowland de Boys’ son.
5. How does the mistress counter for the blame put on by the Duke?
Ans: Rosalind behaves in the most dignified manner when the Duke banishes her. With all respect she
asks the Duke the reason for her banishment. When the Duke calls her a traitor, she replies that he
should not suspect her for being so and that she was innocent. But he continues to blame that she is the
daughter of her father, Duke Senior and that is enough to prove that she is a traitor. Rosalind replies
that if that is so, then she has been a traitor when the Duke usurped her father’s kingdom. Her father is
no traitor and the Duke shall not blame her for being one simply because she is poor.
Q3. Read the following extract and answer the following questions.
Duke Frederick: Thus do all traitors: If their purgation did consist in words, they are as innocent as grace
itself: Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not.
1. Whom does Duke Frederick refer to as traitor? Where is he? Who else is present there?
Ans: Rosalind is referred to as a traitor. They are inside a room in the palace. Celia is present there too.
2. What declaration did the Duke make just before the given extract?
Ans: The Duke declared a sentence of banishment for Rosalind. He asked her to leave the court as quickly
as
possible.
3. How does the person spoken to justify against being called a traitor?
Ans: Rosalind was the banished Duke Senior’s daughter and Duke Frederick was her Uncle. She declared
that
she had the same relationship with the Duke when her father was banished by him. Treason was not
hereditary and even if it was, it would make no difference as her father was never a traitor. She blames
the
Duke that he was being cruel simply because she was poor.
4. Who supports the person blamed by the Duke and how?
Ans: Celia came out in support of Rosalind, her cousin. She spoke against her tyrant father, Duke
Frederick’s
decision. She asked for the same judgement upon her too as she and Rosalind were inseparable just like
the
swans of Juno. They had slept together, woke up together, played together, and eaten together.
5. What reasons does the Duke give in support of the declaration he made earlier?
Ans: Duke Frederick is jealous of Rosalind. He does not want Rosalind to be superior to Celia. He wants to
convince Celia about his decision by saying that Rosalind was crafty and cunning. Her cheerfulness is to
gain
sympathy of the people. She pretends to be innocent and steals all the popularity and admiration from
Celia. If Rosalind leaves, Celia will be more appreciated.
Q4. Read the extract and answer the following questions:
Celia: Why so am I; we still have slept together, Rose at an instant, learn’d, play’d, ate together.
1. Who is Celia speaking about and to whom?
Ans: Celia is speaking about Rosalind to her father, Duke Frederick.
2. Why does she utter the above lines and what is her relationship with the person she’s speaking about?
Ans: The tyrant Duke had banished Celia’s cousin. Celia was disturbed and amazed at her father’s
behavior.
She tried to convince the Duke to take back his sentence. She said that she was acquainted with
Rosalind’s
character and was confident that Rosalind was innocent. Celia could not live without Rosalind because
they
had learned, played, and ate together.
3. Which situation has developed here in this scene? Why does she say so am I?
Ans: The Duke had banished Rosalind and Celia spoke in support of Rosalind out of her nobility. She
declared
to the Duke that they were inseparable and expected the Duke to take back the sentence.
According to Celia, if Rosalind was guilty of treason, then she must be so too. Celia and Rosalind were
close
to each other and so, she insisted that they both should be considered traitors.
4. What does she compare herself to prove her closeness?
Ans: Celia gave the example of Juno’s swans which could not be separated. Juno was the Greek queen of
Gods. This example was used by Celia to prove her closeness to Rosalind.
5. How does the person spoken to justify that the decision taken was in support of Celia?
Ans: Duke Fredrick did not want Rosalind to be superior to Celia. He wanted to convince Celia by saying
that
Rosalind was crafty and cunning. Her cheerfulness was to gain sympathy of the people. She pretended to
be
innocent and stole all the popularity and admiration from Celia. If Rosalind left, Celia would be more
appreciated.
Rosalind: But, cousin, what if we assay’d to steal
The clownish fool out of your father’s court?
Would he not be a comfort to our travel?
1. Where is Rosalind going and with whom? Where are they now?
Ans: Rosalind has planned to escape to the Forest of Arden along with Celia. They are in a room in the
palace.
2. Whom does Rosalind suggest to steal and why?
Ans: Rosalind wants to steal Touchstone, the court jester, as he will be helpful in protecting them in the
Forest of Arden when they escape.
3. What advice does this cousin give to Rosalind?
Ans: Celia decides the details of their escape. She advises Rosalind to carry their jewels and wealth with
them and devise the fittest time and safest way to escape to freedom.
4. Who suggests the destination? Which two things would be required by that person to disguise?
Ans: Celia suggests that they would escape to the Forest of Arden and join Duke Senior, Rosalind’s
father. Celia disguises herself in shabby clothes and paints her face brown.
5. What names were chosen by them? Bring out the significance of their names.
Ans: Celia chose the name Aliena which means stranger and Rosalind chose the name Ganymede who
was the mortal boy with whom Jove, the king of the Classical Gods fell in love and carried him to Mount
Olympus to serve as his own page or cup‐bearer. The name was appropriate because Ganymede was an
effeminate boy while the disguised Rosalind would be a woman with a masculine appearance.
Act 2 Scene 1
Amiens: I would not change it. Happy is your Grace,
That can translate the stubbornness of fortune
Into so quiet and so sweet a style.
Duke Senior: Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, being
native burghers of this desert city, should, in their own confines, with forked heads have their round
haunches gor’d.
1. Where are the speakers? Why are they there?
Ans: The speakers were in the Forest of Arden. They were there because Duke Senior was banished by
his younger brother, Duke Frederick and some of his loyal lords had left the court along with him and
fled to the Forest of Arden.
2. What would Amiens not change?
Ans: Amiens would not change the way of life in the Forest of Arden.
3. What is meant by Happy is your Grace that can translate the stubbornness of fortune?
Ans: Duke Senior had told the advantages of living in the Forest of Arden. He explained that the forest
was free from the superficial life of the people in the court. They were more happy and safe in the forest
than among the envious people of the court. This had convinced Amiens and he remarked that the Duke
Senior was able to perceive all that was positive in the misfortune.
4. Why was the Duke not happy about killing the deer?
Ans: According to the Duke, the deer were the rightful inhabitants of the forest. But they were hunted
down in their own domain just like the Duke had suffered in the hands of the tyrant brother in his
Dukedom. They were in fact being wounded in spite of being innocent.
5. Who shared the same opinion and what does the person say?
Ans: Jaques believed that hunting of the deer in the forest was far more cruel than the usurper Duke
Fredrick. Jaques shared the same opinion that the deer should not be hunted down in the forest, which
is their own habitat.
He also said that the humans were in fact robbers and oppressors or even worse in hunting the poor
animals in their natural home.
First Lord: O, yes, into a thousand similes. First, for his weeping into the needless stream; ‘Poor deer’,
quoth he, ‘thou mak’st a testament as worldlings do, giving thy sum of more to that which had too
much’: then, being there alone,
1. Who is the First Lord speaking to? Who else is there? Who is he?
Ans: The First Lord is speaking to Duke Senior.
Amiens and other lords accompanying the Duke are also there.
He is the melancholy Jaques.
2. What does the First Lord say about he earlier? Narrate the incident which is told by the First Lord?
Ans: The First Lord uses the term melancholy Jaques.
The First Lord and Amiens had seen Jaques stretch under a tree near the stream in the forest. He was
troubled with the fact that the hunting of the deer was a greater cruelty than the duke’s banishment.
According to him, Duke Senior was a greater usurper than Duke Frederick. A poor wounded stag lay by
the stream.
Jaques used a thousand comparisons to grieve about the poor wounded stag. The tears shed by the stag
added water to the stream nearby which was already abundant with water. He compared this with
human beings who give more to those who already have too much. The next comparison also laid
emphasis on the worldly fact that unhappiness turns away friendship. The stag was abandoned by its
herd uncaringly. That is exactly what prosperous men do. He considered hunting of the wild animals in
the forest as an act of usurpation.
3. What does the First Lord mean when he said As worldlings do, giving thy sum of more to that which
had
too much?
Ans: The First Lord quoted Jaques that the people of this world gave more to those who already had too
much. Jaques said this when he was in a forest near the stream and watched a wounded stag shed tears
and add water to the abundant stream. The tears of the stag were not required by the stream.
4. Which philosophy of life had been later quoted by the First Lord as said by he? What is the moral
drawn
from it?
Ans: Two philosophies are explained by Jaques through comparisons, that the people give more to those
who already have too much and unhappiness turns away friendship. The moral drawn is that the
wealthy men do not care for the miserable.
5. What opinion does the person spoken to have about he?
Ans: Duke Senior is fond of Jaques and his philosophies impress him. He believes that Jaques’
philosophies have a lot of moral in them.
Duke Senior: Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which like a toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.
1. To whom are these lines addressed? Where are they now?
Ans: These lines are addressed to Amiens and the lords who accompanied Duke Senior.
They are in the Forest of Arden.
2. Explain the first line of the extract.
Ans: This line means that misfortune and suffering bring its own compensations and teach us valuable
lessons in life. The adversities or difficulties have their own advantages and value in them.
3. What is the toad compared to and why?
Ans: The toad has been compared to adversity. The difficulties in life look ugly and venomous just like
the exterior of a toad. But the toad has a unique advantage which adorns its head. The precious jewel on
the head of the toad acts as an antidote to poison. In the same way adversities have their own
advantages and have their own value in life.
4. What examples did the Duke use to prove that sweet are the uses of adversity?
Ans: The Duke said that the hard life in the forest was much better than the artificial life in the court.
They were more safe and happy in the forest than in the envious court. The adversities of the forest had
a lesson to teach. Nature was no flatterer. In fact the aspects of Nature were truthful counselors. The
trees taught in their own language, the streams were like books to read, the stones imparted wisdom in
their own languages. Thus sweet were the uses of adversity.
5. Where does the Duke propose to go? What feeling does he have for the act which he is about to
commit?
Ans: The Duke proposes to go hunting deer.
The Duke regrets that a deer should be hunted in its own habitat.
Act 2 Scene 2
Duke Frederick: Can it be possible that no man saw them?
It cannot be: some villains of my court are of consent and sufferance in this.
1. Where is the Duke? Who else is there?
Ans: The Duke is inside a room in the palace.
The first lord and the second lord are there with him.
2. In what mood is the Duke now? What has been the reason for his mood?
Ans: The Duke is furious.
The duke is furious when he is informed about the flight of his daughter, Celia, his niece, Rosalind and
Touchstone.
3. Who had overheard Celia and her cousin? What did she hear?
Ans: Hisperia, the princess’ gentlewoman confessed that she had secretly overheard Celia and Rosalind
praise Orlando. She believed that wherever they had gone, Orlando had accompanied them.
4. Who else is missing? What epithet has been given to the person? Who gives this news?
Ans: Touchstone is missing.
He is called the roynish clown.
This news is given by the second lord.
5. In what disguise did Rosalind and Celia escape?
Ans: Rosalind dressed up as a man, and named herself Ganymede and Celia named herself Aliena. She
wore shabby clothes and smeared her face with brown paint.
Duke Frederick: Send to his brother; fetch that gallant hither; If he be absent bring his brother to me; I’ll
make him find him. Do this suddenly, and let not search and inquisition quail to bring again these foolish
runaways.
1. Who is the brother and why has he been ordered to come by the Duke?
Ans: Oliver is the brother. The Duke is agitated with the information of the flight of his daughter and
niece. He suspects that Oliver’s brother, Orlando helped them escape.
2. Who is the brother in the second line of the extract? Who is the gallant?
Ans: In the second line of the extract, the brother is Oliver. The gallant is Orlando.
3. How was the gallant treated by the Duke earlier in the play?
Ans: The Duke showed immense displeasure to the gallant earlier in the play when he came to know
that he was Sir Rowland de Boys’ son.
4. How had the brother treated the gallant earlier in the play?
Ans: Oliver hated his brother Orlando. He was jealous of his bravery and popularity. He ill treated
Orlando, confiscated his liberty and inheritance given by their father, Sir Rowland de Boys.
5. What orders does the Duke give his officers?
Ans: Oliver was banished from the court by the tyrannical Duke Frederick. He had been compelled to
find Orlando and he ordered his officers to be quick in action in search of the fugitives.
Act 2 Scene 3
Adam: What my young master? O my gentle master! O my sweet master! O you memory of Old Sir
Rowland! Why, what make you here?
1. Who is Adam? Where is he now? Whom is he talking to?
Ans: Adam is the loyal servant, who had served Sir Rowland de Boys.
He is outside Oliver’s house.
Adam is talking to Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys.
2. Why does Adam say O you memory of Old Sir Rowland?
Ans: Adam was an old servant who had worked for Sir Rowland de Boys. He believed that Orlando, the
youngest son was an image of his father, Sir Rowland de Boys.
3. Who is the young master? Mention four qualities as told by Adam about the person?
Ans: The young master is Orlando.
Adam praises Orlando and calls him virtuous, gentle, strong and valiant.
4. What does Adam want the person to do and why?
Ans: Adam wants Orlando to escape from his house because his wicked brother Oliver had planned to
get rid of him.
5. What according to Adam had become the young master’s enemies?
Ans: Orlando was virtuous and possessed many good qualities. His goodness of nature had betrayed him
and it had turned an enemy towards Orlando’s destruction. The praises for Orlando had reached Oliver
who was jealous of his younger brother and thus had planned to get him killed.
Adam: Come not within these doors; within this roof the enemy of all your graces lives. Your brother ‐ no,
no brother; yet the son‐ yet not the son, I will not call him son of him I was about to call his father
1. Whose doors does Adam talk about? What epithet had just been used before the extract?
Ans: Oliver’s house, where Orlando lives has been referred to as these doors.
O unhappy youth is the epithet that has just been used before the extract.
2. Who is the enemy of all his graces and why?
Ans: Oliver is the enemy of all his graces because Orlando is virtuous, gentle, strong and valiant. This
made Oliver jealous of him.
3. What four things does Adam say about the house?
Ans: He says that this house is but a butchery:
Abhor it, fear it, do not enter it.
4. Why does Adam dissuade Orlando to enter the house?
Ans: Adam had overheard Oliver’s plots. He planned to burn Orlando within the house. If he failed, he
would have him murdered by some other way. So he did not think that the house was any longer safe
for Orlando.
5. Why is it that the person about whom Adam is speaking does not deserve to be called either a brother
or
a son?
Ans: As a brother, Oliver was wicked, cruel and jealous towards Orlando. He could not be a natural
brother since he had plotted to kill him. As a son of Sir Rowland de Boys, he was not kind and
considerate. He was rude to Adam and despotic towards his younger brother.
Orlando: O good old man! how well in thee appears the constant service of the antique world, when
service sweat for duty, not for meed!
1. Who is the good old man?
Ans: Adam is the good old man. He is the loyal servant to Orlando.
2. What are his good qualities?
Ans: He was loyal, sincere, and hard working. He rendered his services without the expectation of any
reward.
3. When and where does this conversation take place? Give a few details about the situation which has
developed?
Ans: This conversation took place just after the wrestling match when Orlando was about to return to
his house. Adam stopped him on his way and warned him not to enter the house. They were outside
Oliver’s house.
Gallant Orlando had defeated the Duke’s champion wrestler, Charles. His praises reached Oliver and he
had decided to kill Orlando.
4. What does the old man offer Orlando and why?
Ans: Adam offered five hundred crowns that he had saved for his old age, so that it could help Orlando
in his escape.
5. What decision does Orlando take?
Ans: Orlando agreed to the devoted servant. He decided to take Adam along with him and before
Adam’s savings would be over, he would find a house where they could live in peace.
Act 2 Scene 4
Rosalind: Well, this is the forest of Arden.
Touchstone: Ay, now I am in Arden; the more fool I: when I was at home, I was in a better place: but
travelers must be content.
1. Where are the characters now? Who is Touchstone?
Ans: The characters, i.e. Rosalind, Celia and Touchstone are in the Forest of Arden.
Touchstone is the court jester in the court of Duke Frederick.
2. Why should Rosalind behave differently?
Ans: Rosalind was disguised as a man. She was in male attire, and changed her name to Ganymede and
Celia dressed up as a shepherdess and called herself Aliena.
3. What does Touchstone mean when he says the more fool I?
Ans: Touchstone is a professional fool and he criticized the life in the court sarcastically, yet when he is
in the Forest of Arden, he misses the luxury and comfort of the court. So he remarks that he is now
more of a fool that he has left the court.
4. Who enters the stage just after this extract? What are they talking about?
Ans: Corin, an old shepherd and Silvius, a young shepherd entered the stage. They were talking about
their lady love. Silvius discussed about Phebe and Corin remembered his youth when he was in love.
5. What does Touchstone say about the time when he was in love?
Ans: Touchstone recollected that he had broken his sword on a stone in a fit of love and told the stone
that it served him right because it was on the path of Jane Smile, his love. He remembered that he loved
every object his lady love touched and he agreed that all creatures in love are foolish.
Silvius: But if thy love were ever like to mine ‐ as sure I think did never man love so ‐ how many actions
most ridiculous hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?
1. Who are the ones having this conversation? What condition is one of them in?
Ans: Corin and Silvius are the ones having this conversation. Silvius is a young shepherd, and he is in
love.
2. Who are the people listening to their conversation? How have they reached there?
Ans: Rosalind, Celia and Touchstone are listening to their conversation. They have escaped from the
Duke’s court and reached the Forest of Arden.
3. What does the extract mean?
Ans: Silvius believed that he was a true lover and Corin would not be able to understand the true
conception of his love. Corin had become old and he could not be so much in love as Silvius was. He
asked Corin about his follies committed when he was in love. Corin answered that he had behaved
foolishly thousands of times in love and he had forgotten all that he had done.
4. What according to Silvius is the sign of a true lover? Give three examples.
Ans: Silvius said that if Corin had forgotten the silliest thing he did when he was in love, then in reality it
was not love. Secondly, if Corin had never tried to praise his mistress and test the patience of the
listener, he was not in love, and lastly, if his passion never made him quit the company of friends as
Silvius was forced to do, he was not in love.
5. What happens later in the play between Phebe and Rosalind?
Ans: Later in the play it is the case of a love triangle between Rosalind, Silvius and Phebe. Phebe fell in
love with Ganymede, who was actually Rosalind and Phebe used Silvius to send a letter to Rosalind. In
return, Rosalind chided Silvius for being in love with an unfaithful lover, Phebe.
Rosalind: Alas, poor shepherd! Searching of thy wound, I have by hard adventure found mine own.
1. Who are Rosalind and Touchstone reminded of?
Ans: Rosalind remembered Orlando, with whom she had fallen in love and Touchstone remembered
Jane Smile, when he was in love with her.
2. What had Touchstone done in the fit of love‐sickness?
Ans: He recollected that he had broken his sword on a stone in the fit of love sickness because he felt
jealous of it as it lay on the path of his beloved, Jane Smile. He also recollected that he had gathered two
peapods from the plant and gave it to her, and begging her to wear them.
3. Which philosophy does he end his speech with?
Ans: He ends by saying that all humans are genuine lovers. But it is certain that all creatures in love are
foolish just as all creatures are subjected to death.
4. What are the feelings of Celia? What suggestions does she make?
Ans: Celia is extremely tired. She suggested if one of them could go and ask Corin if he could sell them
something to eat because she was dying of hunger.
5. What request does Rosalind make to Corin?
Ans: Rosalind requested Corin to provide them with some food in this forest in exchange of love and
money. She wanted him to find a shelter for them because Celia was exhausted for want of food.
Q4.Read the following extract and answer the questions.
I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold
Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.
Here’s young maid with travel much oppress’d
And faints for succour.
1. Where is the speaker? Who else is here?
Ans: The speaker is in the Forest of Arden. Celia, Rosalind’s cousin and Touchstone are also present.
2. Why does Corin address Rosalind as sir?
Ans: Rosalind is in a man’s disguise .She and Celia had escaped from the Duke’s court. She wore a
doublet and a hose, a man’s attire. So, Corin addressed her as sir.
5. Which two things does Rosalind ask from Corin? Who is the young maid?
Ans: Rosalind requests for shelter and food in exchange of love or gold.
Celia is the young maid.
6. What answer does Corin give to Rosalind? What does he say about his master?
Ans: Corin expressed his sympathy towards Celia. He wished that he had enough to help her but he was
a shepherd to another man and did not own the sheepcote.
He said that his master did not believe in deeds of charity.
7. Explain the line And faints for succour.
Ans: Celia is on the verge of collapsing, she is extremely tired, hungry and exhausted.
Act 2 Scene 5
Jaques: More, more, I prithee, more.
Amiens : It will make you melancholy, Monsieur Jaques.
Jaques: I thank it. More, I prithee, more! I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs.
More, I prithee, more!
1. Who is Jaques? What does he want more?
Ans: Jaques is a professional man of melancholy in Duke Senior’s court. He’s a man of great philosophy.
He remains in the Forest of Arden with Duke Senior.
Jaques wants to hear more of Amiens’ song.
2. What kind of song does Amiens sing? Give its meaning.
Ans: Amiens sings about people who care to fling away their ambition and enjoy carefree life of the
woods, people who care to hunt for meal before they enjoy it, and those content with the wild bird
song. It means that they will meet no foes except winter and the rough weather.
s
3. What answer does Amiens give to Jaques’ request? Why does he sing later?
Ans: Amiens says that his song would make Jaques more sad and gloomy. So he does not want to sing
again.
Later when Jaques requests him further to sing a song and says that he asks him to sing the song only for
pleasure, he does not bother about the meaning, Amiens sings again.
4. What is Jaques’ opinion about compliment?
Ans: Jaques remarks that when people exchange compliments, it looks as if two dog faced baboons are
grinning at each other and when anyone thanks, it looks as if he is a beggar who has been paid to give
thanks.
5. What information does Amiens give about Duke Senior to Jaques? What does Jaques reply?
Ans: Amiens said that Duke Senior intended to have dinner under the shelter of the tree. He also told
Jaques that the Duke had been searching for him the whole day.
Jaques replied that he had been careful to keep out of Duke Senior’s way. He was not comfortable with
the questions asked by the Duke.
Jaques: Thus it goes:
If it do come to pass,
That any man turn ass,
Leaving his wealth and ease,
A stubborn will to please,
Ducdame, ducdame, ducdame:
Here shall he see
Gross fools as he,
And if he will come to me.
1. Where is Jaques? Who else is with him?
Ans: Jaques is in the Forest of Arden. Amiens is with him.
2. What is the meaning of Jaques’ song?
Ans: In his song, Jacques points out the people who foolishly give up their luxurious life to satisfy the
whims of a man who is as stubborn as an ass and faces the difficulties of forest life. They shall come to
Jaques.
3. Who had sung a song earlier? How does he use the word ducdame?
Ans: Amiens had sung a song earlier.
Ducdame is a meaningless word coined by Jaques as a parody to Amiens’ line come hither. He explains
to Amiens that it is a Greek invocation used in inviting fools to form a ring.
4. What pun had been intended in his song and for whom?
Ans: Jaques criticizes Duke Senior humourously for he and other lords had left the comfort and wealth
of the court to please a stubborn man like Duke Senior.
5. Explain the reference I’ll rail against all the first born of Egypt.
Ans: According to a Biblical reference in Exodus II, God destroyed the first‐born of every Egyptian family
including that of the king as a punishment for not allowing Israelis to leave Egypt. As a consequence,
there
was great lamentation in the country all night, preventing people from sleeping. Jaques said that if he
could
not sleep, he would curse all the first‐borns. Here he meant that Duke Senior, the elder brother should
not
have allowed the younger brother to oust him from his Dukedom, such that Jacques would not have had
to
follow him to the forest and lead that hard life. He did not want to be personally offensive to Duke Senior
hence he says all the first‐born indirectly to duke senior.
Act 2 Scene 6
Orlando: if this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it, or bring it for food to
thee.
1. Where are the characters? What is Adam’s condition?
Ans: They are in the Forest of Arden. Orlando is carrying old Adam on his back. Adam is completely tired
and dying of hunger.
2. What promise does Orlando make to Adam?
Ans: Orlando promised Adam that he would come back with food for Adam and if he returned empty
handed, Adam was free to die.
3. How does Orlando make Adam stay a little comfortable?
Ans: Orlando carries Adam to some shelter from the cold winds and encourages him to stay alive till he
comes back.
4. Why have these two come here? Whose son is Orlando? What do you know of his other brothers?
Ans: Orlando and Adam escaped from his tyrant brother Oliver’s house. Oliver had planned to kill
Orlando. Adam, the loyal servant informed Orlando about his wicked brother’s plans. So they escaped to
safety in the Forest of Arden.
Orlando is the son of Sir Rowland de Boys.
Oliver is the eldest brother of Orlando, who is wicked and selfish towards Orlando. Jaques, the other
brother was looked after well by Oliver and received education.
5. How was Orlando repaying Adam’s debt?
Ans: Adam was honest, loyal and sincere as a servant. He had saved Orlando and offered him five
hundred crowns to make a living. In return, Orlando carried him on his back and promised to give food
and shelter and stay with him.
Act 2 Scene 7
Jaques: A fool, a fool!I met a fool I’ the forest,
A motley fool; a miserable world!
As I do live by food, I met a fool;
1. In what mood is Jaques now? Who remarks about his mood just before the extract?
Ans: Jaques is in a cheerful mood. Duke Senior remarks that Jaques looks merry and cheerful.
2. How does this mood contrast with his personality?
Ans: Jaques was a person of melancholy and was philosophical with a serious outlook. But when he saw
the fool, he became cheerful which he seldom was. This was in contrast to his personality.
3. What opinion does Duke Senior have about Jaques on being musical?
Ans: Duke Senior remarked that if Jaques, whose heart and mind seemed so strange with discords,
became devoted to music, it would surely throw the stars out of harmony.
4. What does a motley fool mean and who is he?
Ans: A motley fool refers to a colourfully dressed professional fool. He was Touchstone.
5. What was the motley fool doing when Jaques had met him?
Ans: When Jaques met him, he greeted him with a good morning fool but the fool said no sir! Do not call
me a fool till fortune has favoured me, then he pulled a small watch from his pocket and stared at it dully
and read out the time aloud. The fool remarked only an hour ago it was nine o’clock and that after an
hour it would be eleven o’clock. As the hours passed on, one grew older and more mature but at the
same time moved nearer to death. Such was the life of a man.
Duke Senior: What fool is this?
Jaques: O worthy fool! One that hath been a courtier… O that I were a fool! I am ambitious for a motley
coat.
Duke Senior: Thou shalt have one.
Jaques: It is my only suit….
1. Who is the professional fool? What reasons does Jaques give to prove that he is a worthy fool?
Ans: Touchstone, the professional jester of Duke Frederick’s court is the professional fool.
Jaques justified that Touchstone had been a courtier and gained much experience. He was wise to
understand that women who were beautiful used their beauty to their advantage. According to Jaques,
Touchstone’s brain was as dry as the last remaining biscuit on the ship. He had packed up knowledge in
every corner of his brain through his variety of experiences, and so he was a worthy fool.
2. What is the pun intended on the word suit? What conditions does Jaques put on Duke Senior before he
accepts the motley coat?
Ans: Jaques believes that the motley coat is best suit for him and the other meaning is that if he becomes
a
fool, it would fit him well because he would have all the freedom of speech.
Jaques clarified to the Duke before he accepted the motley coat that he should not consider Jaques as a
wise person anymore, and he had to be granted all the power to criticize anybody in the society. He
could use his sarcasms against anybody just as the wind chooses to blow. Jaques should be granted the
license to express freely.
3. Who according to Jaques should laugh the loudest? Why?
Ans: The man who is hit hardest by the criticism of the fool should laugh the loudest. He must show that
he
is not affected by the criticism of the fool. If he does not remain indifferent to the comments of the fool
then the world will laugh at him.
4. Explain the metaphor through which Jaques states what he will do if he becomes the fool.
Ans: If he becomes the fool and is given the freedom of expression, then Jacques will remove all the evils
from the society, acting as a medicine.
5. What is the Duke’s reply?
Ans: The Duke made fun of Jaques saying that he was not the appropriate person to cleanse the world.
He
had led a sinful life in his youth and his sins were like sores on the body. He would in fact corrupt the
world
with his behaviour.
6. What philosophy does Jaques share about pride?
Ans: Jaques said that pride is like a huge sea which rises like the tide and carries away all the belongings of
the proud person and then he is reduced to a beggar. Therefore, pride results in poverty.
Q3. Read the extract and answer the following questions:
Orlando: Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you:
I thought that all things had been savage here,
And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment.
1. Where is Orlando? Whom is he speaking to? Who else is present there?
Ans: Orlando is in the Forest of Arden where the Duke and the lords are ready to have their meal. He is
speaking to Duke Senior. Jaques and Amiens are present there.
2. In what manner had Orlando spoken to the person earlier in the scene?
Ans: Orlando had spoken in an unkind and commanding manner to the Duke. He said that the sharp
thorns
of necessity had deprived him of the usual courtesy.
3. Which questions did Orlando ask the Duke starting with if? What made Orlando ask those questions?
Ans: Orlando asked for help from the Duke. He asksed a few conditional questions to the Duke like if he
had
ever known prosperous days, if he had ever lived within the sound of church bells, if he had ever enjoyed
the hospitality of a good man, if he had ever shed tears of compassion or if he had known what is to pity
or
to be pitied.
Orlando had promised Adam to bring him food so he asks the Duke to give him some food.
4. How did the Duke answer Orlando?
Ans: The Duke welcomed Orlando to have dinner with them. He told Orlando that they had seen more
fruitful days, had been summoned to church by the sacred chime of the church bell, had enjoyed the
hospitality of worthy men, and had shed tears of holy pity. Because of his noble manners, Orlando was
invited to have dinner.
5. Why could Orlando not accept the Duke’s invitation immediately?
Ans: Orlando asked the Duke to hold his dinner for a while because he had to bring a poor old man dying
of hunger who had trudged many long miles in weariness and pain out of pure affection for him.
Orlando would not eat unless he had fed the poor old man.
And then the whining school‐boy, with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.
1. What are first five lines of the extract?
Ans: All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts
His acts being seven ages…
2. Explain the first two stages of a man’s life?
Ans: The first stage is that of an infant, whimpering and puking either in its mother’s or nurse’s arms. It
needs care and attention. The second stage is that of a childhood when the bright eyed boy goes to
school with his bag unwillingly.
3. In which stage is the lover? How does a lover behave?
Ans: The third stage in a man’s life is that of the lover. Love fills his heart and he sighs with passion. He
composes sad love songs dedicated to his beloved’s eyebrow.
4. In which stage of a man’s life does he wear lean and slipper’d pantaloon? Describe this stage.
Ans: The sixth stage is the stepping stone of old age. He is thin and his trousers don’t fit him properly. He
wears spectacles which come down on his nose and hangs his bag beside him. The breeches which he
had worn in his youth do not fit him now because his legs are too thin for them .His deep voice changes
into the high–pitched voice of a child.
5. What does Jaques compare the world and man to? What is meant by exits and entrances?
Ans: Jaques compares the world to a stage or a theatre and the men and women to actors.
According to Jaques, the world is a stage and all the men and women are actors. Just as actors take
their entry on the stage and play their part and then leave, in the same way, men and women take birth,
play their role and die.
Duke Senior: If that you were the good Sir Rowland’s son,
As you have whispered faithfully you were,
And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
Most truly limn’d and living in your face
Be truly welcome hither:
1. Where is the speaker? Who else is there?
Ans: The speaker is in the Forest of Arden. The other characters present here are Orlando, Jaques, Adam
and a lord of the Duke.
2. Who is the Duke referring to by good Sir Rowland’s son? Who is Sir Rowland?
Ans: The Duke is referring to Orlando. Sir Rowland de boys is the father of Oliver, Orlando and Jaques. He
was a good friend of Duke Senior.
3. What does the Duke say about Orlando’s father and Adam?
Ans: The Duke said that he loved Sir Rowland de boys, Orlando’s father. He called Adam a good old man
and
welcomed him to his cave.
4. Explain the lines: And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
Most truly limn’d and living in your face.
Ans: The given lines mean that Duke Senior was able to see the image of Sir Rowland alive and etched
on the face of Orlando, the youngest son of Rowland de boys.
5. What was theme of the song that Amiens was singing just before this extract?
Ans: In his song, Amiens was comparing the cold harsh wind to the ungrateful people of the world. The
cold
winter wind was not as cruel as the hypocrisy of those people.
Act 3 Scene 1
Oliver: O that your highness knew my heart in this
I never lov’d my brother in my life.
Duke Frederick: More villain thou. Well, push him out of door,
And let my officers of such a nature
Make an extent upon his house and lands.
Do this expediently, and turn him going.
1. Where are the speakers? Who is Oliver?
Ans: The speakers are in a room in the Duke’s palace.
Oliver is the eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, Duke Fredericks enemy. He is the wicked brother of
Orlando.
2. Why is the Duke furious? Who is Oliver’s brother?
Ans: The Duke had summoned Oliver to know the whereabouts of Orlando. Oliver told the Duke that he
had
not seen Orlando since the wrestling match. He did not love his brother so he had no information about
his
whereabouts .The Duke thought that that Oliver was lying to him and became furious.
Orlando is Oliver’s brother who has escaped from his house to be safe from Oliver’s plots of killing him.
3. Is the Duke honest about his own assessment just before the extract? Justify.
Ans: The Duke told Oliver angrily that if it were not for the most part made of mercy, he would have taken
revenge on Oliver instead of his missing brother. The Duke was not correct in his assessment because he
had
banished his own brother Duke Senior. He had done injustice with his own niece Rosalind too and
banished
her. Again when Orlando had won the match, he did not appreciate his victory when he was informed
that
Orlando was Sir Rowland de Boys’ds son. The Duke is wicked, unjust and greedy.
4. What orders does the Duke give Oliver?
Ans: The Duke ordered Oliver to search for Orlando by night as well as by day. He had to find his brother
and
bring him either dead or alive within a year, and if he failed to do so, then he would be outlawed from the
Duke’s dominion.
5. Does Oliver deserve the treatment meted out to him by Duke Frederick? Why?
Ans: Yes, Oliver deserved the treatment as he got a taste of his own medicine. He had deprived his
brother
Orlando of his property, and was then in the verge of losing all himself at the orders of the Duke.
Act 3 Scene 2
Q1. Read the extract and answer the following.
Touchstone: Truly, thou art damned, like an ill‐roasted egg, all on one side
Corin: For not being at court? Your reason.
Touchstone: Why, if thou never wast at court, thou never sawest good manners, then thy
manners must be wicked; and wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. Thou art in a parlous
state, shepherd.
1. Who is Touchstone and Corin? Where are they?
Ans: Touchstone is the professional fool in the court of Duke Frederick who accompanies Rosalind
and the Duke’s daughter Celia when they escape from his palace. He is known for his sarcastic
comments throughout the play.
Corin is an old shepherd in the Forest of Arden. They are in the Forest of Arden.
2. Why is Corin damned according to Touchstone? What is Corin’s reply?
Ans: According to Touchstone, Corin is damned because he was never at the court, so he never learnt
good manners, which made him wicked and wickedness is sin which in turn is damnation.
Corin does not agree to Touchstone’s explanation. The good manners of the court would be absurd in
the forest, as such ceremonious manners are not suitable in the forest.
3. Who had entered earlier in the scene? What did the person plan to do?
Ans: Orlando had entered earlier in the scene. He expressed his love for Rosalind and planned to hang
love poems on every bark of every tree and praise the beautiful woman.
4. How had Corin helped Rosalind and Celia earlier? When did Orlando meet the princesses for the
first time?
Ans: Corin had arranged food and shelter for Rosalind and Celia in the Forest of Arden.
Orlando had met them just before the wrestling match in a lawn outside the Duke’s palace.
5. Why does Touchstone say that Corin is a natural philosopher?
Ans: Corin’s observations are that a man who lacks money, means and content, lacks three good friends.
He further says that the nature of rain is to wet, fire is to burn and a good pasture gives good quality
sheep and darkness comes after the setting of the sun. He adds that a person who possesses no wit and
no talent could claim that he comes from a backward family. So, Touchstone felt that Corin is a natural
philosopher.
Q2. Read the extract and answer the questions.
Rosalind: I pray you, what is it o’clock?
Orlando: You should ask me, what time o ’ day; there’s no clock in the forest.
Rosalind: Then there is no true lover in the forest: else sighing every minute and groaning every
hour would detect the lazy foot of Time as well as a clock.
1. Where are the two characters? How have they come here?
Ans: Rosalind and Orlando are in the Forest of Arden. Rosalind had escaped from the Duke’s palace and
Orlando had been warned by Adam, his servant that his brother Oliver had planned to get rid of him, so
he should run for safety.
2. How could a true lover tell the time according to Rosalind?
Ans: The true lover would sigh every minute and groan every hour and this would tell him the slow
passing of the time as correctly as a clock.
3. Which words are used by Rosalind to describe movement of time?
Ans: Rosalind says that time ambles, trots, gallops and stands still.
4. Which examples did Rosalind give to explain the pace of time?
Ans: Rosalind compares the movement of time with the speed of the horse. Time has been personified
here. Time trots with a girl from the day of fixing of her marriage to the day of the wedding ceremony.
Even if it is only a week, time passes so heavily with her that each day seems a year long.
Time paces gently with a priest who has never worried himself with learning, and with a wealthy man
who is free from gout. The priest does not have to study and the rich man does not suffer from pain.
Time gallops for a thief who has been condemned to death. Though he walks slowly, he reaches the spot
too soon. Time does not move at all with lawyers who sleep during vacation.
Q3. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Rosalind: Peace, you dull fool: I found them on a tree.
Touchstone: Truly, the tree yields bad fruit.
Rosalind: I’ll graff it with you, and then I shall graff it with a medlar: then it will be the earliest
fruit i’ the country; for you‘ll be rotten ere you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of the
medlar.
1. What does Rosalind find on a tree?
Ans: Rosalind finds a paper with love poems hanging from a palm‐tree.
2. Where are the speakers at the moment?
Ans: The speakers Rosalind and Touchstone are in the Forest of Arden.
3. What is a medlar?
Ans: A medlar is a kind of apple which cannot be eaten until it is over‐ripe. Rosalind puns on ‘meddler’‐
an interfering person, and says that Touchstone will be dead or rotten before his mind has matured.
4. How was Touchstone compared with a medlar? Whom does he appeal to?
Ans: Touchstone was meddlesome and he would be dead or rotten before his mind has matured.
When Rosalind puns with the word medlar, he remarks that those statements were Rosalind’s and he
appealed to the woods for a verdict as to their wisdom or folly.
5. Who enters just after this conversation and what is the person doing?
Ans: Celia, Rosalind’s cousin enters reading a paper. This paper was also found hanging on the tree.
Q4.Read the extract and answer the following.
Celia: Why should this a desert be?
For it is unpeopled? No;
Tongues I’ll hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show.
1 .Where is Celia? Where has she found this? Who listens when she reads?
Ans: Celia is in the Forest of Arden. She has found a paper hanging from a tree. Rosalind and Touchstone
listen to her while she reads the love poem.
2. Whom does Celia ask to go away and why?
Ans: Celia had entered reading a long love poem. When she finished reading, Rosalind remarked that
Touchstone and Corin were bored with it so Celia asks both of them to retire and take rest.
3.Explain the extract given.
Ans: The poem had been written by Orlando. He said that there were no dwellers in the forest but it did
not mean that the forest would lay silent. He would make the trees speak the ways and manners of
civilized life in an eloquent manner.
4.To whom is the poem dedicated and how is that person made of many parts?
Ans: The poem is dedicated to Rosalind.
Nature was commanded by God to put all the womanly attributes of good quality in one body. Nature
obeyed the order and produced the fair face of Helen leaving out her faithlessness. Nature added the
dignity of Cleopatra combined with Atalanta’s speed and humble nature of Lucretia. Thus, Rosalind was
made of many parts.
3. What did Rosalind say about seven of the nine days out of the wonder and Pythagoras?
Ans: Rosalind referred to the phrase as a short lived surprise and said that she had almost recovered
from her amazement of the verses hanging from the trees which praised her. The Greek philosopher
believed that souls were transmitted from one form of animal to another. Rosalind claimed to have
been a rat at the time of Pythagoras. As an Irish rat she had been killed by ritual incantation but never
had been a subject of so many poems.
Q5.Read the extract and answer the following.
Rosalind: Love is merely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen
do; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is, that the lunacy is so ordinary that the
whippers are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel.
1. Whom is Rosalind speaking to? Where are they?
Ans: Rosalind is speaking to Orlando. They are in the Forest of Arden.
2. What did Rosalind mean by saying dark house and a whip as madmen do?
Ans: Rosalind told Orlando that love is merely madness and the lovers should be treated like madmen.
The madmen in Elizabethan times were thought to be possessed of evil. If the devil could be kept in a
dark room and whipped out, then the madmen could be cured of the insanity called love.
3. Did Rosalind cure any love sick person before and how?
Ans: Yes, she did cure a youth before. She told Orlando that she asked the youth to imagine that she was
his lady‐love. He pretended her to be so, showing all his love for her. Rosalind pretended to be moody
just as young men and women are, sometimes she would be grateful, weak, foolish, fickle, tearful and
smiling, showing signs of every emotion but feeling no emotion sincerely. Sometimes she hated him,
sometimes accepted him and at other times rejected him. The youth was tired of all this and his
passionate love changed to real madness. This is how Rosalind claimed that she cured the lover.
4. What conditions did Rosalind lay on Orlando before she cured him?
Ans: Rosalind convinced Orlando that if he called her by Rosalind’s name and courted her daily there at
her cottage, she would be able to cure him.
5. How had Rosalind and Orlando first met and under what circumstances?
Ans: Rosalind and Orlando had first met just before the wrestling match which was to take place
between the champion wrestler Charles and Orlando. Duke Frederick had asked Rosalind and Celia to
dissuade him from challenging Charles who was a professional wrestler. These were the circumstances
when Rosalind and Orlando first met.
Act 3 Scene 3
Touchstone: Come apace, good Audrey: I will fetch up your goats, Audrey. And now, Audrey? am I the
man yet? doth my simple feature content you?
Audrey: Your features! Lord warrant us, what features?
1. Introduce the characters.
Ans: Touchstone is a professional court jester in the court of Duke Frederick. He wittily unmasks the folly
of others. He is the satirist of the play.
Audrey is a country girl. She is homely and simple. Touchstone met Audrey in a forest and they were
about to marry each other.
2. Why have they come here? Who are they waiting for?
Ans: Audrey and Touchstone are ready to be married.
They are waiting for a preacher, Sir Oliver Martext.
3. What has Touchstone said about a man’s feelings when his verses cannot be understood?
Ans: When a man finds that his poetry is not understood and his jokes full of wisdom fall flat because his
listener does not have enough humour or wit to understand them, it is far more miserable for him than
having to pay a large bill for very poor entertainment. He says this because Audrey being a country girl
did not have the wisdom to understand his philosophies.
4. What answer does Audrey give when Touchstone asks her if she liked poetry?
Ans: Audrey was a simple country girl with no literary wisdom. She said that she was unaware of the
word poetical. She had never heard of it. She asked if it had a good character and was it a real thing.
5. Who else was present with Touchstone and Audrey? What were his suggestions?
Ans: Jaques was present there. He asked Touchstone to change his motley coat. He further suggested
that they should not be married under a tree in the forest. In fact they should go to the church and
marry under a priest of good reputation who understood what he was doing. Such a marriage as in the
forest could not be binding and it would soon fall apart.
Act 3 Scene 4
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?
1. Where are they? What is the contrast in the mood of each of the character above?
Ans: Rosalind and Celia are in the Forest of Arden.
Rosalind was very upset and obsessed with her love for Orlando and was very annoyed at his failure to
come to her cottage. Rosalind was complaining to Celia that Orlando had not come to visit her. Celia
made fun of both of them. Teasing Rosalind with all her genius, Celia made fun of her impatience and
provoked her by saying that Orlando was as faithless as Judas.
2. Rosalind makes two contradictory statements about someone’s hair? Why does she say so?
Ans: Rosalind remarked that Orlando’s hair was red brown in colour. She blamed herself for being
tricked by Orlando. She said that she should have known that red brown hair was a deceitful
dispossession. On the other hand she said that his hair was of a very nice colour.
3. How does Celia tease Rosalind about Orlando being unfaithful in love?
Ans: Celia teased Rosalind by saying that Orlando was not in the habit of keeping his word, which
showed that he was not a faithful lover. The vows of such a lover were not reliable. They were like the
words of a wine dealer. Both of them were in the habit of making blunders in their calculations.
4. Where is Orlando now? Did Orlando recognize Rosalind when they met the day before?
Ans: Orlando is with Rosalind’s father, Duke Senior.
Orlando did not recognize Rosalind because she was dressed up like a man.
5. What promise did Orlando make to Rosalind the day before?
Ans: Orlando had promised Rosalind to come to her cottage, as she had claimed to cure him of his
madness of love.
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 puisny tilter, that spurs his horse but on
one side, breaks his staff like a noble goose. But all’s brave that youth mounts arid folly guides. Who
comes here?
1. Where is the speaker? Who else is present there?
Ans: The speaker is in the Forest of Arden. Rosalind is present there.
2. What does Celia mean by brave verses?
Ans: Celia means fine lines of poetry.
4.How does Celia describe the brave man? What is the irony here?
Ans: Celia describes the brave man as one who writes brave verses, speaks brave words, swears brave
oaths and breaks the oaths crosswise like a sword from one side to the other side of his lover’s heart.
The irony is that she makes a funny comparison with an inexperienced competitor in a tilting match who
spurs his horse on one side and makes a fool of himself.
5.What is the philosophy behind this explanation?
Ans: She means that all love that is ruled by youth and guided by folly is fine.
6.Who enters the scene now? Whom does he address and how?
Ans: Corin the old shepherd enters the scene. He addresses Rosalind and Celia as master and mistress
respectively.
Act 3 Scene 5
Silvius: Sweet Phebe, do not scorn me; do not, Phebe: Say that you love me not, but say not so in
bitterness.
1. Who is Phebe? In what frame of mind is Silvius now?
Ans: Phebe is Silvius’ beloved. She is a young witty shepherdess. She is cruel and mocks Silvius’ poems.
Though Silvius loves her, she is not in love with him.
Silvius was heartbroken because Phebe had scorned him and was cruel to him. He pleaded her to love
him and if she could not, she should tell him so kindly.
2. With whom is he comparing Phebe and how?
Ans: Silvius compares Phebe with the executioner whose heart is hardened by the repeated sight of
death and who never cuts the head of the victim without asking for forgiveness of his deed. In the same
way Phebe and her pride do not give in to Silvius’ love.
3. What does Phebe accuse Silvius of?
Ans: Phebe said that she did not want to hurt Silvius and he should not blame her by saying that she
could kill with her glances. Eyes are very delicate and tender organs, which shrink from every speck of
dust. So, eyes could not play the part of slayers and he should be ashamed of blaming her eyes as
murderous.
4. What does Phebe say about a pin, rush, and her eyes?
Ans: Phebe accused Silvius of blaming her for murderous eyes. If that was so, she wanted some proof.
He should show the wound made by her eyes. She used the example of a pin that which always left
some scratch behind. Even a soft reed could make a mark upon the hand for a few seconds, and as far as
her eyes were concerned, the darts thrown by her eyes had no power of hurting others.
5. State the differences between Phebe and Audrey.
Ans: Phebe is a young shepherdess and she is cruel to Silvius and mocks his poems. She has no mercy for
Silvius and chides him, whereas Audrey is a simple honest country girl. She is in true love with
Touchstone.
Silvius: Wherever sorrow is, relief would be: if you do sorrow at my grief in love. By giving love, your
sorrow and my grief were both extermin’d.
Phebe: Thou hast my love: is not that neighbourly?
Silvius: I would have you.
1. Who are Silvius and Phebe? Where are they?
Ans: Silvius is a young shepherd, in love with Phebe and Phebe is a young shepherdess, who is the
mistress of Silvius.
They are in the Forest of Arden.
2. Why is Silvius sad?
Ans: Silvius is in love with Phebe and she has scorned him.
3. In what way can Phebe end her own sorrow and Silvius’ grief?
Ans: Phebe can put an end to her sorrow and grief by giving her love to Silvius.
4. What Biblical reference does Phebe use to explain her love for Silvius?
Ans: Phebe says that she has given the love of a neighbour to Silvius. The Biblical reference here is the
second commandment of Jesus, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
5. What does Phebe say when Silvius desires to have her?
Ans: Phebe refers to the tenth commandment of Moses, Thou shalt not covet, stands for greed.
Rosalind: Foul is the most foul, being foul to be a scoffer. So take her to thee, shepherd. Fare you well.
Phebe: Sweet youth, I pray you, chide a year together: I had rather hear you chide than this man woo.
1. What advice does Rosalind give to Phebe?
Ans: Rosalind told Phebe that not many men would give their heart to a woman like her because she
was not as beautiful as she thought herself to be. She should apologize to Silvius for her cruelty, show
him some kindness, and listen to his proposals. Lack of beauty seems uglier if it is also disdainful.
2. Who is the shepherd? What impression does he give?
Ans: Silvius is the shepherd who is woefully in love with Phebe. He becomes a slave of his beloved,
though she scorns him and is cruel to him. His love goes to the extent of bearing messages between
Phebe and Ganymede.
3. How has Rosalind chided the shepherd?
Ans: Rosalind called Silvius a silly fellow to go on following Phebe like a misty south wind, drenched with
tears and noisy with signs. She told him that he was much better looking than she is. According to
Rosalind, such fools as Silvius flattering such plain women like Phebe made the world full of ugly
children. Phebe’s vanity had been aroused because she saw herself with Silvius’ eyes which prove to be
more flattering to her, and Rosalind advises her to see herself in a truth telling mirror.
4. Why does Rosalind get angry just after this extract?
Ans: Phebe remarked that she could hear Rosalind scold her for twelve months and she preferred
Rosalind’s rebukes than Silvius’ love. Actually, Phebe was caught in a complicated situation, because
Rosalind was in the disguise of Ganymede. Rosalind rebuked Phebe by saying that she should not lose
her heart to Rosalind or she would make sarcastic remarks to Phebe.
5. What request does Rosalind make to Phebe before leaving?
Ans: Rosalind begged Phebe not to lose her heart for her because she was unstable and untrustworthy.
She also told Phebe openly that she disliked her.
Act 4 Scene 1
Jaques: I have neither the scholar’s melancholy, which is emulation; nor the musician’s, which is
fantastical; nor the courtier’s, which is proud; nor the soldier’s, which is ambitious; nor the lawyers,
which is politic; nor the lady’s, which is nice; nor the lover’s, which is all these: but it is a melancholy of
mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and indeed the sundry
contemplation of my travels, in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness.
1. Whom is Jaques speaking to? Where are they? Who else is here?
Ans: Jaques is speaking to Rosalind. They are in the Forest of Arden. Celia is also present there.
2. What makes Jaques talk about his melancholy?
Ans: Jaques wants to be better acquainted with Rosalind. When Rosalind remarks that he’s known as
melancholy Jaques, he gives an interesting description of melancholy.
3. How does Jaques describe the different kinds of melancholy of different people
Ans: Jaques remarks that his melancholy is not of a scholar nor just professional jealousy nor that of a
musician who is moody. His melancholy does not match that of a courtier who is proud. His melancholy
is not that of a dissatisfied soldier, neither does it resemble that of a lawyer who is clever, nor the
whimsical sadness of a lady which is rather fastidious, nor is it like the depression of a lover which has
much of all these together.
4. How does Jaques describe his melancholy?
Ans: It is a melancholy peculiar to himself, like a medicine made up of many herbs. It is the result of
reflections on the varied experiences he has gone through in the course of his travels.
5. What is Rosalind’s remark about Jaques as a traveller?
Ans: Rosalind exclaimed that Jaques has great reason to be sad if he was a traveller. She blamed him for
selling his own land to see other men’s. Though he had returned home rich in experience of what he had
seen, he possessed nothing to call his own. It was like having rich eyes and poor hands.
Rosalind: Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her?
Orlando: For ever and a day.
Rosalind: Say ‘a day’, without the ‘ever’…
1. How do Orlando and Rosalind propose each other?
Ans: Rosalind asks Orlando whether he would he marry her if she was his mistress.
2. What have they gone through just now?
Ans: They have gone through a marriage ceremony just now.
3. Who conducts it? How does that person rebuke Rosalind?
Ans: Celia conducts it.
She blames Rosalind for giving an unflattering picture of her womanhood. She should have been
reserved and shown her true colours.
4. What does Rosalind say in the last line of the extract?
Ans: In the last line of the extract, she said that she would shed tears continuously like Diana in the
fountain for no reason, when Orlando was disposed to be merry, and when he was inclined to be asleep,
she would laugh like a hyena.
5. What does she go on to say about certain months of the year?
Ans: Rosalind comments that men are kind and sweet as April when they woo the girls, but become cold
and harsh like December once they are married. Girls are also charming as May before they are married,
but the aspect changes when they are wives.
Rosalind: No, faith, die by attorney. The poor world is almost six thousand years old, and in all this time
there was not any man died in his own person, videlicet, in a love‐cause.
1. What in love is a serious offence? Who is a better lover and why?
Ans: The lover’s breaking of an hour’s promise in love is a serious offence. He that will divide a minute
into thousand parts and he that will break the thousandth part of a minute in keeping an appointment in
love cannot be in true love.
A snail would have been a better lover as it granted security in love because it carried on his head the
house in which he lived. Moreover he owned a fortune. Orlando could not be a true lover because he
had come late and empty handed.
2. What does Rosalind mean by die by attorney?
Ans: An attorney is an agent who is appointed to act for another. When Orlando says that he will die in
his own person, Rosalind tells him to get someone else to die for him just as she has not refused him in
his own person but through Ganymede.
3. What reference has been given about Troilus and Cressida?
Ans: Troilus was the son of Priam, King of Troy. He fell in love with Cressida, an unfaithful lover. He was
killed in the battle by Achilles. Rosalind invents the club in order to defame the patterns of lovers died,
but not for love. Troilus is regarded as the epitome of constant lover by medieval writers but Rosalind
wants to prove that he had sufficient cause to die for Cressida, as a disappointed lover, but he was killed
in the battle, that too by a club.
4. How does she twist the famous love story of Hero and Leander?
Ans: According to Greek mythology, Leander swam across the Hellespont every night to visit Hero whom
he loved. One day he lost his way and drowned as the light on the tower lit by Hero was put out due to
the storm. When Hero saw his body, she threw himself into the sea and was killed. Rosalind disagreed
and thought that Leander would have lived to old age even if Hero had become a nun. She says that
what brought about Leander’s death was not love but crams which seized him while bathing in
Hellespont on a warm summer night.
5. What had Orlando said which made Rosalind twist the myths? Why does Rosalind twist the two
versions?
Ans: Orlando said that as he is Orlando, if his love is not returned by Rosalind, he will have no option but
to die.
Rosalind twisted the myths of Troilus Cressida and Hero and Leander to suit her theory of love that no
man ever died for love.
Act 4 Scene 2
QI. Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Jaques: Which is he that killed the deer?
First Lord: Sir, it was I.
Jaques: Let’s present him to the duke, like a Roman conqueror; and it would do well to set the deer’s
horns upon his head, for a branch of victory. Have you no song, forester, for this purpose?
1. Where are the speakers? What is the occasion?
Ans: The speakers are in the other part of the Forest of Arden. The first lord has killed a deer. Jaques
ironically praises that lord. They are all in a merry mood.
2. Why should the lord be presented like a Roman conqueror?
Ans: Jaques is ironical about the whole situation. He disliked the killing of the deer and he wanted to
ridicule
the lord for this act. So he asks other lords to put a wreath on his head for accomplishing this feat.
3. What does wearing of a horn signify?
Ans: Men whose wives were unfaithful were believed to grow horns on their heads which was a sign of
shame.
4. What according to the song sung later will the hunter have?
Ans: The hunter will have horns on his head. These horns should not be treated with contempt as they
were a mark of honour, a helmet worn by a conqueror.
5. Which incident are you reminded of by the killing of the deer earlier in the play?
Ans: Jaques had lamented by the side of a river when he saw a wounded stag. He had interpreted the
situation with a melancholic philosophy.
6. Why was this short scene included?
Ans: It is a stop gap scene introduced to fill up the interval before Orlando’s presence. Dramatically two
hours of parting is suggested by this scene.
Act 4 Scene 3
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions.
Silvius: I know not the contents; but as I guess,
By the stern brow, and waspish action
Which she did use as she was writing of it,
It bears an angry tenor: pardon me,
I am but as a guiltless messenger.
1. Who is Silvius? Whom is he speaking to? Who is he talking about?
Ans: Silvius is a young shepherd in the Forest of Arden. He is speaking to Rosalind. He is talking about
Phebe.
2. What does the first line of the extract mean? What is the relation of Silvius with the person he is
speaking about?
Ans: Silvius has carried a letter from Phebe to Rosalind. He says that he does not know the contents of
the letter. Silvius is in love with Phebe.
3. What were the contents as read by the person to whom Silvius speaks to?
Ans: Rosalind remarked that patience would be startled and be aggressive if she read Phebe’s letter. If
Rosalind was able to endure that letter, she would be able to bear anything. She said that Phebe had
written that Rosalind was not fair in appearance, that she was rude and Phebe could never care for a
man like Rosalind‐Ganymede. Rosalind remarked that she was not looking for Phebe’s love.
4. What is Silvius suspected of by the person he is speaking to?
Ans: Rosalind suspects that it was not Phebe but Silvius who has written the letter because a woman’s
hand could not write such a letter.
5. Why is Celia sorry for Silvius when he knows the real contents?
Ans: The letter which was given to Rosalind conveyed feelings of love from Phebe to Rosalind. She
referred Rosalind as a divine power who had besieged the heart of a woman. She said no human eye
could harm her. In her letter, Phebe refers to the chiding she received from Rosalind. If her chiding could
make Phebe fall in love, what might Rosalind’s loving behavior accomplish! She wrote that Silvius who
was carrying the letter was ignorant of Phebe’s love for Rosalind. She requested Rosalind to send her a
reply in a sealed letter. If Rosalind rejected Phebe’s love then she would seek death as soon as possible.
Thus Silvius was heartbroken and Celia felt sorry for him.
Oliver: And well he might so do.
For well I know he was unnatural.
1. Where is Oliver? Who else is present there?
Ans: Oliver is in the Forest of Arden. Celia and Rosalind are present there.
2. Who is he in the extract? What has been said about him?
Ans: Oliver is the he in the extract. Oliver narrated the incident in the forest where Orlando saved him
from
a snake and a lioness. This surprised Celia and she asked Oliver whether it was the same cruel and wicked
brother of Orlando. Celia and Rosalind were unaware of the true identity of Oliver.
3. What according to Rosalind was the correct punishment for the he mentioned above? How did she
recognize Oliver?
Ans: According to Rosalind, Orlando’s brother should have been left to fall prey to the hungry lioness.
While
narrating the incident, Oliver revealed his identity that he was the cruel brother of Orlando.
4. What had the brother done to Orlando earlier in the play?
Ans: Oliver had treated Orlando miserably. He did not send him to school or give him food properly. He
did
not give his share of the will inherited from his father, Oliver had also tried to murder his brother
Orlando.
5. What news did Oliver bring for Rosalind? What did he show them?
Ans: Oliver had come with the news that Orlando could not keep his promise because he had met with an
adventure and could not reach Rosalind on time.
Q3. Read the following extract and answer the questions.
Oliver: Be of good cheer, youth. You a man! You lack a man’s heart.
Rosalind: I do so, I confess it. Ah sirrah! a body would think this was well counterfeited. .I pray you, tell
your brother how well I counterfeited. Heigh ho!
Oliver: This was not counterfeit: there is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of
earnest.
Rosalind: Counterfeit, I assure you.
1. Where are they present? Who does Oliver refer to by man?
Ans: They are present in the Forest of Arden. Oliver refers to Rosalind who is dressed in a man’s clothes.
2 .What did Rosalind counterfeit?
Ans: Rosalind had swooned when she saw the blood soaked napkin shown by Oliver. He had said that
Orlando was wounded by the lioness. But she told Oliver that she had pretended to faint, it was not real.
3. What change is noticed in Oliver’s character as told to Rosalind?
Ans: Oliver had reconciled with Orlando amid tears. He was no more the wicked brother.
4. What advice does Oliver give Rosalind? What is Rosalind’s reply?
Ans: Oliver advises her to show courage because she was a man. Rosalind agrees to follow his advice,
though she says that she should have been a woman by right.
5. Why does Celia ask Oliver to accompany them?
Ans: Oliver and Celia have been attracted to each other from the moment they met each others and so,
she wants Oliver to be with her.
Act 5 Scene 1
Touchstone: The heathen philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape, would open his lips when he
put it into his mouth, meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open.
1. Where is Touchstone? Whom is he speaking to?
Ans: Touchstone is in the Forest of Arden. He is speaking to William and Audrey.
2. Who is a heathen philosopher? What reference has been given by him about such a philosopher?
Ans: Touchstone was not referring to any particular philosopher. Probably William stared at Touchstone
open mouthed in awe of the wise man.
He told William that when the heathen philosopher had a mind to eat grapes, he used to open his
mouth and put the grape in it. This showed that mouths were to be opened and grapes were to be
eaten. The philosopher was Touchstone, the grape was Audrey and to open his lips meant to begin the
marriage ceremony. In other words William should not consider Audrey his beloved.
3. Which proverb is Touchstone reminded of? Explain.
Ans: When William replied to Touchstone, he is reminded of The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise
man
knows himself to be a fool.
Touchstone confused William to think that he was actually a fool who considered himself wise.
4. Which five questions does Touchstone ask William and what is his reply?
Ans: Touchstone asked William’s name and he wittily replied five and twenty, sir. Secondly, he asked his
name and he said William it was. Thirdly, he asked whether William was born in the forest and he replied
that he did and was grateful to God for it. Fourthly, he asked whether William was rich and he replied that
he was so‐so. Lastly, Touchstone asked whether William thought that he was wise and he replied that he
was.
5. What rhetoric is used by Touchstone to impress William?
Ans: Touchstone said that one did not possess a thing till one actually possessed it. William was not in
possession of Audrey. He said that when wine is poured from a cup into a glass, the cup became empty
while the glass was filled. So Audrey belonged to Touchstone.
Act 5 Scene 2
Orlando: Wounded it is, but with the eyes of a lady.
Rosalind: Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swoon when he showed me your handkerchief?
Orlando: Ay, and greater wonders than that.
1. Who is in disguise and why?
Ans: Rosalind was in disguise of a man and she had chosen the name of Ganymede. She and Celia had
escaped from the duke’s palace when Duke Frederick had banished Rosalind.
2. Who is the brother? How did the brother meet Rosalind?
Ans: Oliver is the brother mentioned here. Orlando had sent Oliver to Rosalind with a message that he
could not meet her as promised because of his sudden adventures in the forest with a lioness and a
snake in order to save his brother Oliver. This is how he met Rosalind.
3. What are the greater wonders that Orlando is referring to? What does Rosalind compare the great
wonder with?
Ans: Oliver had fallen in love with Celia and this was the great wonder.
Rosalind compared the love between Celia and Oliver as a fight between two rams who fight with least
provocation. The second example was of Julius Caesar who after defeating King of Pontus sent a short
message to the Roman Senate ‘Veni, Vidi,Vici’ (meaning: I came, I saw, I overcame).
4. How did Oliver and Celia make a pair of stairs to marriage?
Ans: Oliver and Celia did not waste time in their decision to get married. They fell in love at first sight, no
sooner did they longed for each others as lovers do. No sooner did they sigh than they sought the
reason. Then they searched a solution to be together. They have climbed step by step to the temple of
marriage.
5. Whom did Orlando plan to invite and for what occasion? How does he feel?
Ans: Orlando decided to invite the Duke to the marriage ceremony of Oliver and Celia. He felt depressed
at
the thought of his beloved with whom he wanted to marry. He could feel the happiness of his brother
who
got what he wished for.
Silvius: It is to be all made of fantasy,
All made of passion, and all made of wishes;
All adoration, duty and observance;
All humbleness, all patience, and impatience;
All purity, all trial, all obedience;
And so am I for Phebe.
1. To whom are these lines addressed? Who else is present?
Ans: These lines are addressed to Phebe, the beloved of Silvius. Rosalind , Orlando and Phebe are present.
2. How was Silvius treated by Phebe earlier?
Ans: Phebe was cruel to Silvius. She did not love Silvius, instead she used his services to send a letter to
Rosalind to convey her feelings of love.
3. What do the characters promise to each other?
Ans: Rosalind, Orlando, Silvius and Phebe promised each other to be faithful to their beloveds.
4. What announcement does Rosalind make to them?
Ans: Rosalind announced that they should all assemble for the marriages of Silvius to Phebe and Orlando
to
Rosalind.
5. How would the real Rosalind be present there to get married to Orlando?
Ans: Earlier, Rosalind told Orlando that she had magical powers and with the help of those she would
bring
Rosalind to get married to Orlando.
Act 5 Scene 4
Q1.Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Rosalind: I have promised to make all this matter even
Keep you your word…
1. Where is Rosalind? Whom is she talking to?
Ans: Rosalind is in another part of the forest. These lines are spoken to Duke Senior.
2. What has she promised Orlando?
Ans: Rosalind has promised him to bring the real Rosalind by the magical powers she possessed.
3. What resemblance of Rosalind is mentioned by the Duke and Orlando?
Ans: The duke said that the boy or Ganymede resembled his daughter Rosalind. Orlando said that when
he
first saw Ganymede he thought that he was a brother to Rosalind.
4. From where did Rosalind get her magical powers?
Ans: Rosalind told Orlando that she had learnt the magical powers from her uncle since the age of three.
5. What promises do the characters present make?
Ans: Orlando said that he would marry Rosalind, and Duke Senior promised to bestow his daughter to
Orlando. Phebe promised to marry Ganymede if he is willing, if not, then she would marry Silvius.
Jaques: There is, sure, another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark. Here comes a pair
of very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools.
1. Who is Jaques talking about? What does Jaques mean by another flood? What is the Bibilical
reference?
Ans: Jaques is talking about Touchstone and Audrey who have just entered as one of the four pair of
lovers. Another flood refers to the fact that all the pairs of lovers have gathered to escape from
drowning. The biblical reference has been made to Noah’s ark which carried the faithful to safety.
2. Whom does he refer to as strange beasts? Why does he refer to them as such?
Ans: Touchstone and Audrey are referred to as strange beasts, because Touchstone was the
professional fool.
3. Which couples are coming to the ark? Why have they all come together?
Ans: The couples are Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Silvius and Phebe, and Touchstone and
Audrey. Rosalind brought them together and they are to be married to each other.
4. Why did not the strange beasts get married earlier?
Ans: Touchstone and Audrey could not get married earlier because Jacques had interfered and stopped
them from getting married by Sir Oliver Martext, saying he was not a good clergyman and the marriage
would fall off. He also said that they should not get married under a bush.
5. What suspicion does Jaques have about one of the fool who entered?
Ans: Jaques told Duke Senior that the fool who entered claimed of being a witty courtier.
Touchstone : God ‘ild you, sir; I desire you of the like. I press in here, sir, amongst the rest of the country
copulatives, to swear, and to forswear, according as marriage binds and blood breaks.
1. Who is Touchstone speaking to? What does he mean by God ‘ ild you sir? Who introduced him?
Ans: Touchstone is speaking to Duke Senior. God ‘ild’ you sir means may God reward you.
2. Who introduced him and how?
Ans: Jaques introduced him to Duke Senior who was delighted by his presence. Jaques said that
Touchstone is a whimsical fool in mind as well in dress whom he had quite often met in the forest. He
also said that Touchstone had claimed to be a courtier.
3. Explain to swear and forswear, according as marriage binds and blood breaks?
Ans: These lines were spoken by Touchstone to Duke Senior and his lords. He said that he had come to
join the other couples who would swear vows of loyalty to their marriage partners, but who would in
course of time break those vows and then also break the bonds of marriage as a result of continuing
quarrels after passion would break between them.
5. Who is introduced by Touchstone? What was the comparison of poor virgin?
Ans: Audrey is introduced by Touchstone.
Poor virgin was Audrey. He said that he had come with a plain maid, an ordinary and ugly woman but
she was his own. She belonged to him. He accepted Audrey whom no other man would take. The purity
and chastity in ugly Audrey was just like a rich man who lived in a poor cottage because of his
miserliness and just as a most precious pearl lived inside an ugly shell fish.
5. What is your opinion about Touchstone in this scene? Comment.
Ans: Touchstone is amusing in his speeches. Here Touchstone ridicules the woman he wants to marry.
Without any ill‐will he says that Audrey is poor and ugly but he is happy with her. He uses the
appropriate similes to prove his point. Touchstone proves that he the perfect jester by his courtly wit
and ability to talk well. Though he is realistic and unromantic, yet he has been able to amuse his
audience.
Duke Senior: By my faith, he is very swift and sententious.
Touchstone: According to the fool’s bolt, sir, and such dulcet diseases.
Jaques: But, for the seventh cause; how did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause?
1. Where are all these characters? What does the Duke mean by his statement?
Ans: The Duke, Touchstone and Jaques are in the Forest of Arden. This statement of the Duke has been
made for Touchstone that he is quick‐witted and that he is capable of making pithy remarks.
2. How does Touchstone explain the seven lies?
Ans: When Jaques asked Touchstone if he resolved the fight on the seventh cause, he replied that lie
passed through six stages and reached the seventh. He related that once he had told a courtier that his
beard was not appropriate, to which the courtier sent a message that it did not matter because it was
Touchstone’s personal opinion. That was a Reply Courteous. He told the courtier again that his beard
was not cut properly and the courtier replied that it was not to please Touchstone but himself. That
stage is Quip Modest. When he said that beard was not cut properly again, the courtier declared that
Touchstone’s judgement was totally unsound and that was Reply Churlish. Touchstone repeated his
comment and the courtier replied that Touchstone did not speak the truth, which was Reproof Valiant.
He sent a word again to the courtier and the courtier said that Touchstone lied, which was called
Counter Check Quarrelsome. Then came the stage of Lie Circumstantial and then Lie Direct.
3. How does Touchstone resolve the matter with the courtier?
Ans: Touchstone said that he did not go beyond Lie Circumstantial nor did the courtier have courage to
tell him that he is a liar. So they met and measured their swords to satisfy themselves that they were of
the same length and then parted.
4. According to Touchstone, what were the different degrees of lie?
Ans: The first was polite and sharp reply ‘Reply Courteous’, the second was mildly sarcastic ‘Quip
Modest’, the third was ill‐tempered reply ‘Reply Churlish’, the fourth was a brave reply that is ‘Reproof
Valiant’, the fifth was on provocation ‘Countercheck Quarrelsome’, the sixth was the conditional lie
‘Reply Circumstantial’ and the seventh was ‘Lie Direct’.
5. What is the way to avoid the seventh lie?
Ans: The seventh lie leads to actual fight and it can be avoided by the use of the word if in the following
manner, If you say so then I would say so. But if you did not say so, then I assure you that I also did not
say so. It is the word ‘if’ that is capable of making peace.
Jaques de Boys: Let me have audience for a word or two; I am the second son of old Sir Rowland; That
bring these tidings to this fair assembly.
1. What had been said about this character and by whom?
Ans: Jaques de Boys was Orlando’s brother who was sent to school by their eldest brother Oliver and
reports said in golden terms of the progress that Jaques made in school.
2. What was the first message brought by him?
Ans: Jaques de Boys said that Duke Frederick had gathered a large and powerful assembly when he
learnt that many of his learned men fled to the Forest of Arden. He marched towards the forest to kill
his brother there and put him to death. After some discussion with a hermit he met on the outskirts, he
became a convert. He decided to renounce the world.
3. How does Jaques de Boys bring welcome gifts for both his brothers?
Ans: Duke Frederick had given back his dukedom to his banished brother Duke Senior .He had also
returned the confiscated land to Oliver. Duke Senior would give his dukedom to Orlando as dowry for his
marriage to Rosalind his daughter. In this way, Jaques de Boys brought gifts for his brothers.
4. What does Jaques decide to do?
Ans: Jaques decided to meet Duke Frederick who had converted and renounced the world and learn
from him instead of being a part in the merry making.
5.What was not the fashion of the day according to Rosalind? What does she tell the men and women?
Ans: Rosalind says that it is not a custom to see a lady speak the epilogue but at the same time it is no
more surprising to hear a lady speaking the epilogue than to hear a gentleman speaking the prologue.
She said that she would cast a spell on the women first and then the men. She said, O women for the
sake of the love you bear to men, should appreciate the play and to the men she said, O men for the
sake of the love you bear to women, the play should be appreciated too.

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