As You Like It · Chapter
Scene II explained
Orlando consents to Oliver's sudden marriage to Aliena (Celia).
What happens
Orlando consents to Oliver's sudden marriage to Aliena (Celia). Rosalind, still disguised as Ganymede, promises Orlando that she will produce Rosalind for him to marry the next day, claiming magical powers. Silvius and Phebe arrive, and Rosalind orchestrates a plan for all couples to meet the following day for weddings.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The scene revolves around Oliver's sudden love for Aliena and the planned weddings, highlighting the swift and transformative power of love.
Disguise and Deception
Rosalind's continued disguise as Ganymede allows her to orchestrate the marriages and claim magical powers, driving the plot toward resolution.
Characters to notice
- Orlando
Consents to Oliver's marriage and expresses heartache at seeing his brother's happiness; agrees to meet Rosalind (as Ganymede) the next day for his own wedding.
- Oliver
Declares his sudden love for Aliena and his intention to marry her, offering Orlando his inheritance.
- Rosalind
Disguised as Ganymede, she teases Orlando about his wounded arm, claims magical abilities, and arranges for all couples to marry the next day.
- Silvius
Describes the nature of his love for Phebe in a poetic exchange, agreeing to meet the next day.
- Phebe
Continues to express her love for Ganymede (Rosalind) and agrees to meet the next day.
Key passages
“Is’t possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? that but seeing you should love her? and loving woo? and, wooing, she should grant? and will you persever to enjoy her?”
Orlando asks Oliver if it's possible to fall in love and win consent so quickly.
Orlando expresses surprise at the speed of Oliver's romance.
“I can live no longer by thinking.”
Orlando says he can no longer sustain himself on mere thoughts of Rosalind.
Orlando's frustration with his unfulfilled love.
“I have, since I was three year old, conversed with a magician, most profound in his art and yet not damnable.”
Rosalind claims to have learned magic from a virtuous magician since childhood.
Rosalind invents a magical background to justify her promise to produce Rosalind.
“It is to be all made of sighs and tears; And so am I for Phebe.”
Silvius describes love as composed of sighs and tears, and says he feels that way for Phebe.
Silvius defines love in a poetic litany.
“I will marry you, if ever I marry woman, and I’ll be married to-morrow.”
Rosalind tells Phebe she will marry her if she ever marries a woman, and that she will be married tomorrow.
Rosalind teases Phebe while setting the stage for the resolution.