Note to As You Like It, 2.5.26-27: "compliment is like the / encounter of two dog-apes"


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As You Like It,
Act 2, Scene 5, lines 26-27.
compliment: courtesy, good manners.  dog-apes: baboons. —Jaques is being a jerk. He has asked for another stanza; Amiens has agreed to give him one, not because it would be a pleasure to himself, but because Jaques has asked. Jaques then says that he ought to say "thank you," but adds that "compliment" (saying "thank you" and "you're welcome" etc.) is like the meaningless screeching of baboons.