Quote 10
JAQUES
The duke hath put on a religious life
And thrown into neglect the pompous court.
[...]
To him will I. Out of these convertites
There is much matter to be heard and learned.
[...]
So, to your
pleasures.
I am for other than for dancing measures.
[...]
To see no pastime, I. What you would have
I'll stay to know at your abandoned cave. (5.4.187-188; 190-191; 201-203; 205-206)
This is interesting. The melancholy Jaques is virtually the only character who doesn't change. What's up with that?
Quote 11
JAQUES
Well then, if ever I thank any man, I'll thank
you. But that they call compliment is like th'
encounter of two dog-apes. And when a man thanks
me heartily, methinks have given him a penny, and
he renders me the beggarly thanks. Come, sing. And
you that will not, hold your tongues. (2.5.23-28)
Jaques philosophizes on the nature of gratitude. His outlook on compliments being beggarly (in that they are too profuse and lowly) probably stems from his own inability to see anything worth being grateful for.
Quote 12
JAQUES [Quoting Touchstone]
'Tis but an hour ago since it was nine,
And after one hour more 'twill be eleven.
And so, from hour to hour we ripe and ripe,
And then from hour to hour we rot and rot,
And thereby hangs a tale. (2.7.25-29)
Touchstone's philosophy about the passage of time is pretty depressing, don't you think? According to our favorite licensed fool, every hour that passes leads to man's further decay. What's interesting about this passage is that Jaques, who is normally sad and moody, gets off on Touchstone's dreary outlook, admitting he "laughed sans [without] intermission."