As You Like It Act 2, Scene 6

 

As You Like It  Act 2, Scene 6

Summary

In a remote part of the Forest of Arden, the exhausted and starving Adam collapses, declaring he can go no further and is near death. Orlando, showing newfound strength and resolve, refuses to accept this. He comforts Adam, urging him to hold on. Promising to return with food—or die trying—Orlando carries the old man to shelter before venturing off alone into the savage forest on a desperate hunt for sustenance.

Analysis

1.     The Forest as Wilderness (Not Paradise):

o   This scene starkly counters the romanticized view of Arden from previous scenes. Here, the forest is an "uncouth" and savage wilderness, a place of real hunger, exhaustion, and mortal peril. It strips away all pretense and social grace, reducing life to its most basic need: survival. This reinforces the duality of Arden as both a refuge and a testing ground.

2.     Orlando’s Character Transformation:

o   This is a pivotal moment in Orlando’s journey from wronged younger brother to heroic provider. In Act 1, he was dependent on Oliver and despaired of his future. In Act 2, Scene 3, he accepted Adam's savings and leadership. Now, the roles reverse completely.

o   He becomes resolute, compassionate, and heroic. His speech shifts from lament to command (“Live a little… cheer thyself”). His vow—“I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee”—is a classic declaration of heroic sacrifice. He physically carries Adam, symbolizing his full assumption of the protector role.

3.     Theme of Service and Love in Action:

o   The theoretical "constant service of the antique world" that Adam embodied is now met with an active, nurturing love in return. Orlando’s care for Adam is the practical manifestation of the loyalties idealized earlier. Their bond, forged in crisis, represents the play’s true model of mutual devotion, contrasting with failed familial bonds.

4.     Dramatic Function and Irony:

o   This scene creates immediate, high-stakes tension. Adam’s impending death is real and urgent, raising the emotional stakes for Orlando’s quest.

o   It is also deeply ironic. Orlando leaves to find food in a "desert," unaware that just nearby, Duke Senior and his men are about to sit down for a banquet (as mentioned by Amiens at the end of Scene 5). This dramatic irony sets up the imminent collision between the desperate Orlando and the settled forest community, driving the plot forward.

5.     Symbolism:

o   Adam’s collapse and Orlando’s response can be seen as a symbolic death and rebirth. Adam, the last link to the old courtly life of Sir Rowland, must nearly perish so that a new, self-reliant Orlando can emerge. His rescue and nourishment will signal their full integration into the forest’s economy of kindness.

In essence, Act 2, Scene 6 is a brief but crucial crucible. It tests and reveals Orlando’s true nobility through action, not just birthright. It presents the forest at its most harsh and elemental, preparing the way for the contrast of the communal feast in the next scene. This moment of extreme need is what will propel Orlando into the heart of Duke Senior’s camp, thereby uniting the two main plotlines and ensuring the survival of both Adam and the ideals of loyalty he represents.

 

Location: United States

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