Act V, Scene 5

Summary

Duke Senior, Orlando, Oliver, Celia and others are waiting in the forest for the Ganymede, who has claimed he will perform miracles and produce Rosalind. The duke asks Orlando if he believes the youth's promise; Orlando admits that he vacillates between hope and fear.

Rosalind, still disguised as Ganymede, enters with Silvius and Phebe. She immediately turns to her father, Duke Senior, and asks if he would allow his daughter to marry Orlando if she is indeed produced by magic. The duke assures her that he would be delighted to have Rosalind marry Orlando. He adds that if he had kingdoms to give, he would bestow them on Ganymede if he succeeds in producing Rosalind. She then turns to Orlando and asks if he would marry Rosalind. and he says he would. Then Phebe tells of her plans to marry Ganymede, but if she changes her mind, she will give herself to Silvius.

Having made all these bargains, Rosalind beckons to Celia, still disguised as Aliena, and the two of them leave the scene. After they exit, the duke confesses that there are some things about Ganymede that remind him of his own lively daughter. Orlando also says he can see some similarity.

Touchstone and Audrey arrive to be wed. Touchstone tells the duke that he has consented to marry the "poor virgin," for no other man will. Then at Jaques' prompting, Touchstone launches into a long account of the codes of quarreling. The duke comments that the fool uses his folly like a stalking horse and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit.

Rosalind and Celia enter without their disguises. They are accompanied by Hymen, the god of marriage. The duke, Orlando, and Phebe are wonderstruck at the sight of Rosalind. Hymen sings about the glory of marriage and greets the lovers who are to wed: Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Audrey and Touchstone. Upon realizing the truth about Ganymede, Phebe also decides to marry Silvius, as promised.

Jaques de Boys, the middle brother of Orlando and Oliver, makes his entry. He informs them that Duke Frederick, jealous of the flowering popularity of his brother, has set out for the forest of Arden with the purpose of killing Duke Senior. On the way, he has met an old religious man, who works a miracle and reforms him. The evil in Duke Frederick is truly gone. Because of his conversion, he has decided to restore the dukedom to his brother and return all confiscated properties back to the rightful owners.

Now there is more to celebrate than just the four marriages. Duke Senior welcomes the "good of our returned fortune." The play ends in happiness, with music and dancing. Even Jaques gives each set of newlyweds a good word of greeting.

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