As You Like It features five songs throughout its narrative.
The first song is "Under the greenwood tree," sung by Amiens and then Jaques in act 2, scene 5. It is a pastoral piece celebrating the pleasures of living in the natural world as opposed to the city. The song is a reflection of Duke Senior's own preference for rustic living compared to the "painted pomp" of the royal court from which he was forced to flee.
The second song is "Blow, blow thou winter wind," located in act 2, scene 7. Once again, it is sung by Amiens. The song is about how the harshness of nature is not as painful as the cruelty of human beings, an obvious reference to Duke Senior's situation with his treacherous brother.
The third song is "What shall he have that kill'd the deer" by Jaques in act 4, scene 2. The song is a comical take on cuckolding, traditionally represented by a man wearing horns when his wife cheats on him. The song reflects Jaques's own cynicism regarding love, women, and matrimony.
The fourth song is "It was a lover and his lass," sung by the two pages at Touchstone's request in act 5, scene 3. This is one of the longer songs in the play. The song is a romantic interlude that ends with Touchstone insulting the singers, claiming they were out of tune.
The last song is sung by Hymen while he blesses all the gathered couples in the play's final scene. The song celebrates the social role of the marriage bond. It also alludes to the Greek goddess Juno, who was the goddess of marriage.
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