Jacques de Bois, the brother to Oliver and Orlando, arrives on stage immediately after the ceremony (at line 140). Jacques announces that Duke Frederick had come into the Forest of Ardenne with a large army and with the intention of executing Duke Senior. However, on the way, Duke Frederick met with a religious hermit who “converted” him so that Frederick no longer wishes to harm his older brother and no longer wishes to rule over the dukedom (lines 150-51). Instead Frederick is going to stay at Ardenne; and, so, Duke Senior will once again rule his land. As a result, Oliver will be able to get his estate back; and Orlando, now that he is married to Duke Senior’s daughter, will be the heir to the Duke.
Once again the power of the Forest of Ardenne, the power of Nature, is at work and magically transforms and converts wickedness and evil into good. And the implication is that the newly restored and revitalized Duke Senior will bring back the benefits and gifts of nature to his dukedom.
The play ends with the melancholy Jacques announcing his intention to stay in Ardenne and to join the simple life of the hermit and Frederick. This announcement is followed by a dance and an epilogue spoken by Rosalind.