Student Question

In "As You Like It", what does Touchstone's phrase "honey a sauce to sugar" mean?

Quick answer:

Touchstone's phrase "honey a sauce to sugar" in Act 3, Scene 3 of "As You Like It" suggests that combining two sweet things, like honesty with beauty, is excessive or unnecessary. Touchstone humorously argues against Audrey being both honest and beautiful, indicating it would be too much of a good thing. This reflects the parody of courtly love in his relationship with Audrey, which is based more on physical desires than genuine affection.

Expert Answers

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It is always important with such questions to look at the quote in context and to consider what else is happening in this scene. This quote is said in Act 3 scene 3, in which Touchstone courts Audrey. However, this "courting" is really a parody of courtly love that has been displayed elsewhere in the play, for Touchstone seems to accept Audrey's unfaithfulness and also admits openly that he is only courting Audrey so that he can satisfy his lust. The quote you have identified is said as a response to Audrey when she asks Touchstone if she would have her be honest. Note the full response that Touchstone gives her:

No, truly, unless thou wert hard-favoured; for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar.

If we look at this response, we see that Touchstone is arguing that he would not have Audrey be "honest" or faithful to him, because honesty linked together with beauty is like having honey with sugar. Therefore Touchstone is saying that it would be too much of a good thing. We therefore see in this scene that Touchstone "courts" Audrey in a way that is a parody of courtly love. He is ruthlessly honest about his reasons for wanting to marry, and he is likewise honest about his expectations of Audrey as well. The "love" that Touchstone and Audrey share is more about satisfying their immediate physical desires rather than anything else.

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