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As You Like It | Why is Jaques so sad?
Even before he appears on stage, we learn through a report by Duke Senior's men that Jaques is given to a chronic melancholy as they humorously relate how he has pined over the death of a stag that they have merrily shot. When we first see him, Jaques is engaged in lively repartee with the Duke and his followers as they assault his pessimistic airs and he parodies their pretentious rural songs and adopted folkways. There is no reason that Jaques is sad, no tragic circumstance in his background that would explain his negative worldview. We are by his tormentors to look upon his...
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