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1. 
   merideth Teacher
   Middle School

   First, the Jaques you are referring to is the Lord attending on Duke Senior, not the Jaques who is Oliver's other younger brother.

   There are a few reasons why Jaques could be sad.  One, he is a high class man of the court, but now he is living in the woods like a savage.  For an older man of means who is used to a comfortable life, this sits hard.

   Two, he likes it.  He is a philosopher, and they are rarely jolly, happy fellows. Above all, he loves an argument.  Look at his conversations on love with Orlando.  They speak volumes about how his reasoning maintains that there is no real love in humans.  Also, for more enlightenment on his character look at his description of man in all his ages.  Hardly very complementary.  Finally, look how he enjoys making fools out of others, as in calling the men into a circle of fools to hear him.  

   Third, and least probably, his name can also be pronounced "jakes", which is a word for the place one goes to relieve oneself.   

   But why in the midst of all of this frivolity and love-festing, would Shakespeare have a character like him? Imagine not having him.  It would be sugar shock.  Secretly, we all agree with Jaques.  Man does make a mess of life, and sometimes it takes a Jaques to point it out.  He has an important job:  to make the story not so sweet.

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   Posted by merideth on Saturday August 23, 2008 at 6:29 PM
   
   

2. 
   revolution Teacher
   Doctorate

   We learn through a report by Duke Senior's men that he is given to a chronic melancholy as they humorously relate how he was very depressed and sad over the death of a stag that they have not willingly shot.

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   Posted by revolution on Saturday July 25, 2009 at 8:28 PM