Understanding Shakespeare: As You Like It by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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ACT V, SCENE 4: Mirth in Heaven

 

Ceremony follows the witty nonsense spoken by Touchstone. Hymen, the Greek God of Marriage enters (at line 97). Hymen could be splendidly dressed, possibly wearing white silk and a crown of roses (as the character does in the 1606 masque entitled Hymenaei written by Ben Jonson). However, the character could also be simply dressed as a minister.

More importantly, Rosalind and Celia enter; and they are no longer in disguise. Duke Senior, Orlando, and Phoebe would thus be startled by the transformation.

Hymen performs the wedding ceremony for the four couples – (1) Orlando and Rosalind, (2) Oliver and Celia, (3) Phoebe and Silvius, and (4) Touchstone and Audrey. And the wedding ends with a song.