# Adam — As You Like It character guide

> Adam in As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Adam Sweet masters, Adam O unhappy youth, Adam Master, Adam What

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

An old servant who has served the family nearly fourscore years and gives Orlando his life savings to flee a brother's murderous plan.

## Who they are

Adam has watched over the house of Sir Rowland since he was seventeen, and his loyalty outlasts the family's good fortune. Overhearing Oliver's plot to burn Orlando in his bed, he warns his young master and presses five hundred crowns of saved wages into his hands, begging to come along even though he is old and the road is long. His devotion — service for duty, not reward — gives the exile its moral anchor and a tender counterweight to Oliver's treachery.

## Relationships

### [Rosalind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters/rosalind)

_friendship_

Adam is Orlando's loyal old servant who helps him escape, and Rosalind treats him with kindness and gratitude.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Loyal servant who listens to Orlando's grievances and tries to mediate between the brothers.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Loyal old servant who warns Orlando and offers his savings and service.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Weak and starving, he resigns himself to death but is encouraged by Orlando to hold on.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vii)

Arrives with Orlando, weak from age and hunger, and is welcomed by Duke Senior.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters/adam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters