How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to The Norton Shakespeare, second edition, published in 2008.
Quote #10
ORLANDO
Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you.
I thought that all things had been savage here,
And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment. (2.7.111-114)
Orlando assumes everything in the forest is brutal, so he tries to be brutal too. He means to contrast the court to the forest, but the irony is that the court has proved more brutal to him than the forest could ever be.
Quote #11
CORIN
Not a whit, Touchstone. Those that are good
manners at the court are as ridiculous in the
country as the behavior of the country is most
mockable at the court. You told me you salute not at
the court but you kiss your hands; that courtesy
would be uncleanly if courtiers were shepherds.
TOUCHSTONE
Instance, briefly. Come, instance.
CORIN
Why, we are still handling our ewes; and their
fells, you know, are greasy.
TOUCHSTONE
Why, do not your courtier's hands sweat?
And is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as
the sweat of a man? Shallow, shallow. A better
instance, I say. Come.
CORIN
Besides, our hands are hard.
TOUCHSTONE
Your lips will feel them the sooner. Shallow
again. A more sounder instance. Come.
CORIN
And they are often tarred over with the surgery
of our sheep; and would you have us kiss tar? The
courtier's hands are perfumed with civet.
TOUCHSTONE
Most shallow man. thou worms' meat in
respect of a good piece of flesh indeed! Learn of the
wise, and perpend: civet is of a baser birth than tar,
the very uncleanly flux of a cat. Mend the instance,
shepherd.
CORIN
You have too courtly a wit for me. I'll rest. (3.2.45-69)
Corin argues that the attitudes and social conventions of the court have no place in the country. The custom of hand-kissing, for example, wouldn't work in the country because everybody's hands are always greasy and smelly from handling sheep. Touchstone, as usual, says that's not a good enough reason and argues with Corin until the old shepherd gives up and says Touchstone is too witty for him.
Quote #12
First, in this forest, let us do those ends
That here were well begun and well begot,
And, after, every of this happy number
That have endured shrewd days and nights with us
Shall share the good of our return'd fortune,
According to the measure of their states.
Meantime, forget this new-fall'n dignity
And fall into our rustic revelry.— (5.4.176-183)
Wait a minute here. If life in the country is so great, why does everyone decide to return to court when they find out their old titles and fortunes will be restored? Because Arden isn't exactly the "real world," it seems like the forest can only ever be a temporary refuge.