In many of his plays, Shakespeare is able to use characters in a very exciting way. Certain characters are able to transform the entire play in a special way. For Romeo and Juliet, there is Friar Lawrence, Julius Caesar there is Casca, and for As You Like It there is Touchstone. Even though these characters may not be the focus of the play, they do have an indiscrete purpose and serve what turns out to be a paramount role. In the play As You Like It, Shakespeare creates the character Touchstone and uses his quick wit and playful attitude to add an additional amount of comedy. .
Everything about him is fairly entertaining, from his clothing to his personality and even his name. A touchstone is actually used to test the purity of metals. When scrapping gold against touchstone, it will leave a line of dust that someone can use to show how untainted it is. Much like the stone touchstone, Touchstone has the skill to expose human beings by using his wittiness to scratch their surface. This is really shown when he argues with William and Corin. When attempting to scratch the surface of Corin, Corin comes out unscathed. "Will thou rest damned? God help thee, shallow man. God make incision in; thou art raw."(iii.2.70-72). Corin is able to counter the remarks of Touchstone. In this situation Corin shows to be a true gold. He does not back down, but counters him. The conversation between Touchstone and William is different. The reader can conclude that Touchstone automatically hates William because he likes Audrey. He basically interrogates William by asking him a series of questions. The final question being, "Give me your hand. Art thou learned?" (V.1.38). Once William says no, Touchstone replies wittingly, "For all you writers do consent/that ipse is "he." Now you are not ipse for I am he. (V.1.43-44)" This allows Touchstone to verbally uncover the truth of William. In this particular case William is fools gold.
