As You Like It Adam Quotes

Adam

Quote 1

ADAM
Sweet masters, be patient.  For your
father's remembrance, be at accord.  (1.1.62-63)

Adam is an old servant who has served the de Boys family for-ev-er. Now that Sir Rowland de Boys is dead, he answers to Oliver, even though his loyalties are more closely tied to Orlando. Here, Adam finds himself in the middle (literally) of Oliver and Orlando's big fight, which reminds us of another ancient "Adam" who was involved in the most notorious fraternal feud in the bible. In Genesis, Adam is the first man and the father of Cain, who murders his little brother, Abel. This, of course, doesn't bode well for the Oliver-Orlando situation—as we know, Oliver will later try to pull a Cain and have his brother murdered (1.1.18 and 2.3.2).

Adam

Quote 2

ADAM
But do not so. I have five hundred crowns,
The thrifty hire I saved under your father,
Which I did store to be my foster nurse
When service should in my old limbs lie lame,
And unregarded age in corners thrown.
Take that, and He that doth the ravens feed,
Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
Be comfort to my age. Here is the gold.
All this I give you. Let me be your servant.
Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty,
For in my youth I never did apply
Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood,
Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo
The means of weakness and debility.
Therefore my age is as a lusty winter,
Frosty, but kindly. Let me go with you.
I'll do the service of a younger man
In all your business and necessities. (2.3.39-56)

Why does Adam give up his entire savings to help save Orlando's life? Is it because he's a super-loyal servant? Is it because Adam loves Orlando like a son? Some combination of both, or something else entirely? Before you answer this question, think about how Orlando treats Adam, especially when Orlando cares for him when the old servant is on the verge of starvation in Act 2, Scene 7. It seems to us that Orlando behaves like a loyal son taking care of an aging parent.