Duke Senior, Amiens and a few Lords are in the Forest of Arden. The Lords are dressed like foresters. Duke Senior tells the men their life in exile is sweeter and free of peril, unlike life at court. Amiens comments that Duke Senior is able to make any bad situation good.
Duke Senior wants to go hunting. He hears from one of the lords that Jaques is crying over an injured deer near the river. The men find Jaques, who compares the deer's fate to their own. Although this deer is injured, the rest of the herd shows no interest or emotion. Jaques thinks this is like the people in court who have no interest in the wrongs committed.....
