Student Question

How is Rosalind and Celia's friendship in As You Like It an example of perfect friendship?

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Celia's loyalty and honesty are just two of the many examples of why their friendship can be seen as the perfect friendship.

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One reason why Rosalind and Celia's friendship can be seen as the perfect friendship is due to their loyalty towards each other. We especially see Celia's loyalty for Rosalind. Celia especially disapproves of her father's actions and wants to distance herself from him, actions such as usurping Rosalind's father, Duke Senior, and snubbing Orlando after he wins against Charles in the wrestling match. More importantly, when Celia's father banishes Rosalind from the household, Celia decides to go with her. We especially see Celia's dedication to remain with Rosalind when she boldly solicits her father to banish her as well as Rosalind, as we see in her lines:

Pronounce that sentence then on me, my liege:
I cannot live out of her company. (I.iii.85-86)

Beyond their loyalty and the fact that they claim to be inseparable, another sign of their close friendship is their honesty. For example, when Rosalind as Ganymede tells Orlando to meet her while she pretends to be Rosalind and he is late, Rosalind bemoans the idea that he may not truly be in love. While others might have tried to comfort Rosalind by assuring her she knows he is in love with her, Celia teases her by saying, "Yes, [he is true in love] when he is in; but I think he is not in" (III.iv.27). Celia's approach is actually a much more honest approach. It's doubtful that Celia really believes Orlando is not in love with Rosalind; instead, Celia's approach is leaving room to point out the irony of the situation. Rosalind, at the moment that she is crying and thinking Orlando does not love her, is actually not being Rosalind; she is being Ganymede instead. So of course it is unlikely that Orlando would be in love enough with Ganymede play acting as Rosalind to show up on time. Hence, Celia's honesty perfectly fits the situation. But more than that, Celia's response also leaves the possibility open that he may not be in love with Rosalind, making her response a much more honest and supporting response, despite the teasing manner her response is delivered. Celia's honesty on even such a delicate issue further shows just how loyal she is to Rosalind. 

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How do Rosalind and Celia exemplify perfect friendship in As You Like It?

In Shakespeare's As You Like It, Rosalind and Celia have the perfect friendship because they are loyal to each other, they respect each other, and they don't let pettiness get in the way. First, the two cousins are loyal because they stay with each other even though Rosalind and her father are cast out of the kingdom. Rosalind could have gone with her father, but she chose to stay with Celia for as long as she could. Once Rosalind is exiled, Celia goes with her rather than stay at home with her father Duke Frederick. Celia certainly proves her loyalty and love for Rosalind by her actions, but she adequately expresses them, too, by saying:

"You know my father hath no child but I, nor none is like to have; and, truly, when he dies thou shalt be his heir: for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce, I will render in affection: by mine honour, I will; and when I break  that oath, let me turn monster; therefore, my sweet Rose, my dear Rose, be merry"(I.ii.13-18).

Here Celia says that she would gladly share and even give Rosalind her inheritance if it would make her "merry." She proclaims her vows of loyalty and then follows through during the whole play as she remains by Rosalind's side. Rosalind also shows love and loyalty to Celia as they run off to the forest together and plan to take care of one another forever.

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