# Scene III explained — As You Like It

> Chapter companion for As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Touchstone and Audrey prepare to marry in the forest, with Jaques observing and eventually intervening to counsel Touchstone against a hasty, informal wedding.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Touchstone's pragmatic and cynical view of marriage contrasts with Audrey's simplicity, highlighting the tension between romantic ideals and practical unions.

### Disguise and Deception

Touchstone's wordplay and feigning in poetry, as well as Jaques's hidden observation, underscore the theme of deception in relationships.

## Character check-ins

### Touchstone

Attempts to marry Audrey in the forest, philosophizes about marriage and horns, and is counseled by Jaques.

### Audrey

Simple and honest, she agrees to marry Touchstone but is confused by his poetic talk.

### Jaques

Observes Touchstone and Audrey's exchange, then intervenes to advise Touchstone against a makeshift marriage.

### Sir Rowland de Boys

Referenced indirectly through the mention of 'good Master Oliver' (Oliver Martext), but not present.

## Key lines

> the truest poetry is the most feigning

The most genuine poetry is the most deceptive.

_Touchstone argues that poetry, like love, involves pretense._

> as the ox hath his bow, sir, the horse his curb and the falcon her bells, so man hath his desires; and as pigeons bill, so wedlock would be nibbling.

Just as animals have their natural restraints and behaviors, humans have desires, and marriage is a natural inclination.

_Touchstone uses animal imagery to justify the urge to marry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_you_like_it_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters