The Philosophy of Jaques in As You Like It Jaques is one of the characters in Shakespeare's play As You Like It. We, as audiences and readers, learn that, although he was previously a libertine, he now seems to have turned to philosophy in his search for a new identity. As a philosopher he questions much of what he sees around him. At a certain point Jaques analyzes what it means to be a man (II, vii, 60-166). He sees the world as a stage where men and women are actors and their different ages represent different acts and scenes in the play. His descriptions suggest that the roles are largely outside of the players' control; that the script of the play has already been written by an external force. But there is a sense of contradiction in all this; the phases that Jaques outlines for us (presented to his audience as universal) do not account for his role. This being the case, we must either assume that Jacques is somehow exceptional or that the roles are not as fixed as he imagines. You can always argue that Jaques is something of an outcast. On the other hand, the senior duke is eager to offer him a place at court, thus giving him the opportunity to obtain an acceptable role within the framework of a hierarchical society, but Jaques refuses the offer. He needs to broaden his horizons, and he's so eager to learn more that he doesn't even stay to celebrate with the rest of uke's men. “See no pastime, me.” (V,iv,194). Instead he wants to go to Duke Federico: "There is much to listen to and learn about these converts" (V,iv,183-184). Jaques has no particular interest in being part of an established company. Create your own role and destiny. With his mere presence in the show we are made aware of the infinite choices that human beings face in their lives. Rosalind is the only other character in As You Like It who truly challenges established roles, but while she (in all likelihood) returns to court and is pleased with the new development (after all, she brought it about), Jacques is unwilling to leave him. the freedom and independence presented to him in the green world. Jaques first attempts to defy established norms by taking on the appearance of a madman: "O that I were a madman! / I am ambitious for a colored coat.