Scene II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  Rosalind falls in love with Orlando at first sight, initiating the central romantic plot.

• Disguise and Deception

  Le Beau reveals that Rosalind is disguised as the duke's niece, foreshadowing her later disguise as Ganymede.

• Fortune and Nature

  Rosalind and Celia debate the roles of Fortune and Nature in determining beauty and virtue.

Characters to notice

• Rosalind

  Shows mirth despite sadness; falls in love with Orlando at the wrestling match; gives him a chain.

• Celia

  Comforts Rosalind, jokes with Touchstone, and encourages Orlando after his victory.

• Orlando

  Defeats Charles in wrestling; proudly declares himself Sir Rowland's son; becomes smitten with Rosalind.

• Touchstone

  Engages in witty banter with Rosalind and Celia about oaths and honor.

• Duke Frederick

  Commands the wrestling match; shows hostility upon learning Orlando's parentage.

• Le Beau

  Brings news of the wrestling; warns Orlando of the duke's displeasure and reveals Rosalind's identity.

• Charles

  Wrestles Orlando and is thrown; unable to speak after the fall.

Key passages

• “The little strength that I have, I would it were with you.”

  I wish I could lend you my small strength.

  Rosalind expresses her support for Orlando before the wrestling match.

• “Wear this for me, one out of suits with fortune, That could give more, but that her hand lacks means.”

  Take this chain from me, someone who is unlucky and would give more if she had the means.

  Rosalind gives Orlando a chain as a token of her affection.

• “Thus must I from the smoke into the smother; From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother.”

  I must go from one bad situation to a worse one, from a cruel duke to a cruel brother.

  Orlando laments his fate after the wrestling match.