Student Question

How do Celia and Rosalind plan to evade villains on their journey to the Forest Of Arden in As You Like It?

Expert Answers

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Following Celia's suggestion that her and Rosalind flee court to the Forest of Arden following Rosalind's banishment by her father, the two young women work out a two-fold plan to protect themselves from any villains that they may come across on their travels. Firstly, Rosalind plans to disguise herself as a man so that they do not appear to be two unprotected damsels. Note what she suggests to Celia:

Were it not better,

Because that I am more than common tall,

That I did suit me all points like a man?

A gallant curtal-axe upon my thigh,

A boar-spear in my hand, and in my heart,

Lie there what hidden woman's fear there will,

We'll have a swashing and a martial outside,

As many other mannish cowards have

That do outface it with their semblance.

Rosalind, by planning to disguise herself as a man, thus hopes to cover up her "hidden woman's fear" with a show of "martial outside," presenting a bold and brave exterior that hopefully should deter anyone that wishes to cause them trouble.

Secondly, Rosalind also suggests that in case this plan doesn't work, they should take Touchstone the fool with them just in case, so that he can be "comfort to our travail." Presumably, having an actual man with them in addition to Rosalind disguising herself as one would give them greater protection.

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