Role of Humour in “As You Like It”
On the other hand, Jaques is full of morbid and melancholy humour of the pessimist. In contrast to Touchstone’s light-hearted wit, Jaques possesses a very serious outlook on life. He is discontented with everything in life. He irrespective of its quality. In fact, Jaques is purposely melancholy his words complain about his view of humour. He says “I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel suck egg.” It is crystal clear that Jaques is a born pessimist whose mind became unhealthy on account of self-brooding. In the drama, he always complains about one thing or another, to him the years seem to be made up of twelve Decembers. Quite surprisingly all the gaiety and mirth brought by a different pair of lovers bring little to this eternal weeping wizard. When various lovers are to be united in matrimony, Jaques presents a strange comment “There is, sure another flood toward, and these couples are coming to the ark! Here comes a pair of very strange beasts, which in all tongues are called fools.” Hence his humour is rightly described as morbid melancholy and unnaturally serious.
Finally, the drama produces Rosalind’s humour which has a healthy and hilarious note. At the same time, it is strange enough to brush aside all pessimism in us. Rosalind is serious without being pedantic or light-hearted, without being vulgar. Her humour is born of natural innocence and simplicity of responses to situations. Adversity has not soured her temperament. Although circumstances in the court were bent upon spoiling her sunny spirit. But the moments she decides to move on to unknown destiny and disguises herself as a shepherd, all the finer traits of her personality begin to bloom. The difficult and tiresome voyage into uncertainty brings little discomfort rather it wriggles out the best in this adventurous traveller. Even when she is inclined to ridicule the folly of Jaques, her laughter is not embittered by malice whatever she says or does has a certain unfailing grace which is the result of her genial humour. Rosalind’s humour is the standard of all true humour which ought to be never boisterous. Its laughter is infectious and disarming. It produces sympathy and gains the affection and confidence of the people in the immediate surrounding.
