Analysis of Touchstone and Audrey's Unconventional Courtship
Touchstone, a witty fool, woos Audrey with unconventional views on marriage and poetry in Act III, Scene 3 of "As You Like It". He expresses disdain for honesty in marriage and brings in Sir Oliver Martext for their wedding ceremony, showcasing the comedic yet thought-provoking interactions in Shakespeare's play.
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Presentation Transcript
As You Like It ACT III Scene 3: Critical Analysis
Characters: Touchstone: the fool Audrey: a wench Jacques: lord Sir Oliver Martext: A vicar
Location: The clearing near the sheepcote in the Forest of Arden
Tochstone woos Audrey for marriage. He compares himself to the poet Ovid. He says: I am here with thee and thy goats, as the most capricious poet, honest Ovid, was among the Goths.(Simile) Jaques was following them and comments on Touchstone s witty dialogues which are not audible to them. Jaques says: O knowledge ill-inhabited! worse than Jove in a thatched house!(metaphor)
Touchstone tells Audrey that he wishes her to be poetical. He expresses his ideas on what it means to be Poetical . Audrey. I do not know what 'poetical' is: is it honest in deed and word? is it a true thing? Touchstone. No, truly; for the truest poetry is the most feigning; and lovers are given to poetry; and what they swear in poetry it may be said as lovers they do feign.
Touchstone does not want Audrey to be honest in marriage. He justifies his statement with some witty dialogues about honesty, beauty and foulness. honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar. to cast away honesty upon a foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean Dish. He concludes that he will marry her in whatsoever condition. He had brought Sir Oliver Martext from nearby village to conduct the wedlock ceremony.
Sir Oliver Martext asks for somebody to give the bride for wedding . then Jcque comes ahead to give the bride but he also asks the fool about the reason for marriage . Touchstone answers: 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. Jaques suggests them to get married in a church and to have a proper wedding.
But Touchstone says: I am not in the mind but I were better to be married of him than of another, for he is not like to marry me well...and not being well married, it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife. But somehow he sends Sir Oliver Martext away.
Critical Comments: The scene is remarkable for the witty and comical dialogues betweent Touchstone and Audrey. The ideas of marriage, fidelity, honesty, beauty and worth of a man are presented in a comical and non serious manner. The plot develops with the meeting of Touchstone and Audrey and their plan to tie the nuptial knot.
