# Scene III explained — As You Like It

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

## What happens

Rosalind and Celia are in the forest when Silvius delivers a letter from Phebe, which Rosalind reads aloud and interprets as a love letter despite Phebe's harsh words. Silvius is sent back with a message. Oliver then arrives, seeking the shepherds' cote, and delivers a bloody napkin from Orlando, recounting how Orlando saved Oliver from a lioness and was wounded. Rosalind faints upon hearing the news, but recovers, insisting it was counterfeit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Disguise and Deception

Rosalind's fainting and subsequent claim of counterfeiting highlight the theme of deception, as she hides her true emotions behind a mask of play.

### Brotherly Conflict and Reconciliation

Oliver's conversion and Orlando's rescue of his brother demonstrate the resolution of their earlier conflict.

## Character check-ins

### Rosalind

Receives Phebe's letter and interprets it; faints upon hearing of Orlando's wound, then claims it was counterfeit.

### Celia

Accompanies Rosalind, pities Silvius, and helps identify Oliver's destination.

### Silvius

Delivers Phebe's letter to Rosalind and is sent back with a message.

### Oliver

Arrives to deliver Orlando's bloody napkin and recounts his rescue and conversion.

### Orlando

Referenced as having saved Oliver from a lioness and sending a bloody napkin to Rosalind.

## Key lines

> Patience herself would startle at this letter And play the swaggerer; bear this, bear all: She says I am not fair, that I lack manners; She calls me proud, and that she could not love me, Were man as rare as phoenix.

Even Patience would be shocked by this letter and act aggressively; she says I'm not handsome, that I'm rude, and that she couldn't love me even if I were as rare as a phoenix.

_Rosalind reacts to Phebe's harsh letter._

> But kindness, nobler ever than revenge, And nature, stronger than his just occasion, Made him give battle to the lioness, Who quickly fell before him.

But kindness, which is always nobler than revenge, and natural instinct, stronger than his justified reason, made him fight the lioness, who quickly fell to him.

_Oliver describes Orlando's decision to rescue him despite past wrongs._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-iv-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