Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
16 March 2009
As You Like It: Act 5
Act Five is when Orlando's main goals of becoming a gentleman and gaining the love of Rosalind are fully achieved. Orlando tells Ganymede, "I can live no longer by thinking" (5.2.53), which means he is no longer able to just pretend Ganymede is Rosalind, he needs Rosalind herself. In response to this Ganymede tells Orlando, "If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena shall you marry her" (5.2.65-68). This shows that Rosalind finally trusts that Orlando's love is true. As Rosalind she later tells him, "I'll have no husband, if you be not he" (5.4.127), showing that Orlando has finally won over his true love and is able to live happily with her. Before they are married Orlando even says, "That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her" (5.4.10). This means that he would marry her no matter what it took and shows that he is not using her, he truly loves her, and in this way is a gentleman.
Orlando's relationship with Oliver has become strong and he even discusses his upcoming marriage to Aliena with Orlando. Orlando says, "Is 't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? That but seeing, you should lover her? And loving, woo? And wooing, she should grant? And will you persever to enjoy her?" (5.2.1-4). This seems a little hypocritcal after Orlando has been wooing Rosalind after falling in love with her immediately, but shows that the bond between the brothers has become strong because they can talk in this way.
No comments:
Post a Comment