In this satirical scene, Act 2, Scene 4, Silvius and Corin argue about love. Corin says he cannot remember all the foolish things he has done for love. Silvius replies that then he has never loved at all:
O, thou didst then never love so heartily.
If thou rememb’rest not the slightest folly
That ever love did make thee run into,
Thou hast not loved.
Or if thou hast not sat as I do now,
Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress’ praise,
Thou hast not loved.
Or if thou hast not broke from company
Abruptly, as my passion now makes me,
Thou hast not loved.
O Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe!
Shakespeare satirizes a core pastoral trope in this scene. During the 16th century, pastoral poetry was en vogue among English poets, with many of Shakespeare’s contemporaries taking part. One trope of the genre was a singing contest between shepherds, with the music generally following the theme of love or death. Instead of a singing contest, Shakespeare has substituted a shouting match, a grumpy argument (much less romantic) between Corin and Silvius.
Silvius rejects all of Corin’s advice on love, maintaining that his feelings for Phoebe are unique (“sure I think did never man love so”). If Corin knew what true love was like, Silvius argues, he would never forget “the slightest folly” he has performed in its name. If Corin has not wearied a listener “in [his] mistress’ praise,” or fled (“broke”) from company abruptly, he has not allowed love to truly inspire him. Silvius concludes with a passionate invocation of his love (“Phoebe, Phoebe, Phoebe!”).
Silvius’s belief that he is experienced in love reveals his deep naivete. The shepherd suggests that love and foolishness are inseparable, a conclusion which is borne out by the action of the play (in which everyone makes a fool of himself for love at some point). His error is in thinking that foolishness is the mark of sincerity in love, and something unique to his relationship with Phoebe.
Love is so new to Silvius, he thinks that letting his feelings get the best of him (as he flees from everyone else, overcome by them), and boring other people with his affairs, are novel and powerful shows of love, rather than cliches of a lover’s behavior. Shakespeare satirizes the common sentimental depiction of love as all-consuming and overpowering. Silvius seems silly here, rather than wise in the ways of love and the world.
