Discussion Topic

Rosalind's Role and Presence in As You Like It

Summary:

Rosalind, a central character in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is portrayed as a strong, intelligent, and resourceful young woman. She embodies a mix of traditional feminine qualities, like compassion and tenderness, and traits that transcend gender norms, such as bravery and assertiveness. Disguised as a young man, Ganymede, she navigates the Forest of Arden, guiding the play's events, including her romance with Orlando. Her wit, humor, and capability to adapt showcase her as a daring and influential figure.

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What are the leading traits of Rosalind in As You Like It?

Shakespeare is said to not have heroes in his comedies because of the significant role the lead female characters play (this may not be as easily asserted for his tragedies and histories, however). Critical opinion holds that in his comedies, one thing Shakespeare aimed for was to honor the qualities of Queen Elizabeth. Other Elizabethan Renaissance writers similarly honored Elizabeth in their writings, most notably Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queene. Since Shakespeare aims to honor Elizabeth, he endows his heroines, such as Rosalind in As You Like It, with qualities and attributes widely know to belong to the Queen. One reason writers wished to honor Queen Elizabeth, aside from the privileges of patronage (e.g., court positions or pensions), was that Elizabeth was lauded in her own time as one of England's greatest rulers, who, though a woman, was fearless even in the face of battle as she was noted for donning armor and riding at the head of troops.

The characteristics of Rosalind show her with both expected female virtues and weaknesses and with characteristics that transcend gender expectations, likening her to Elizabeth. Some of Rosalind's key feminine qualities are compassion and tenderness as illustrated by her conduct toward Orlando when they first meet at the wrestling challenge match ("we will make it our suit to the duke / that the wrestling might not go forward." 1.2). Also notable is her friendship and love for Celia (though some may assert Celia's friendship and love for Rosalind has more devotion) and her initial fear at being cast by King Ferdinand from his court and her home (the only home she'd ever known since her father was the deposed King): "Alas, what danger will it be to us, / Maids as we are, to travel forth so far!" (1.3).

Some of Rosalind's characteristics that transcend gender are the qualities she begins to show after Celia has shown the way and led them in taking disguises ("'ll put myself in poor and mean attire / ... / The like do you" 1.3) and making the arduous trek to "the forest of Arden." Through the trek to Arden, while wearing the liberating attire of a young lad with a "gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, / A boar-spear in my hand" (1.3), Rosalind becomes brave, assertive, and outspoken, thus putting her woman's wit to work in addressing others' grievances. This is seen in the following. Upon entering Arden, Rosalind, though on the verge of tears herself from braving possible dangers and from weariness, comforts Celia/Aliena, saying:

I must comfort
the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show
itself courageous to petticoat: therefore courage,
good Aliena!

When they meet Corin and Silvius, Rosalind takes the lead in asking for food and a resting place ("where we may rest ourselves and feed / Here's a young maid / ... / faints for succor." 2.4) and later on in securing a cottage: "Buy thou the cottage, pasture and the flock," (2.4). Later Rosalind is outspoken in her dealings with Orlando, for example, when they finally meet up ("I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind" 3.2). Another example of her outspokenness is later with Phoebe when Phoebe is so unfortunate as to declare her love for Rosalind/Ganymede; Rosalind declares: "it is my study / To seem despiteful and ungentle to you" (5.2).

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What are the leading traits of Rosalind in As You Like It?

This seems to be certainly true of this play. I will start off this discussion by pointing out the way in which Rosalind is just so much more interesting than any of her male counterparts in this play. She is a truly original character--as opposed to the somewhat conventional Orlando--who delights and inspires us int turn. You might like to think of the way in which she convincingly disguises herself to play various roles and has a chameleon-like ability to adapt and change.

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Who is Rosalind and why does the usurper keep her at court in As You Like It?

Rosalind is one of the major characters in "As You Like It." She is an intelligent, beautiful, and self-sufficient young women. She is the daughter of the deposed Duke who is now living in the Forest of Arden. She has been retained by the usurper because his own daughter Celia is so strongly attached to Rosalind that they are inseparable. The usurping Duke, however, decides to banish Rosalind because she has too strong an influence on Celia. Also, her presence may be too much of a reminder of his guilt. Celia decides to accompany Rosalind to the Forest of Arden in search of her father and his loyal followers. There Rosalind, who has disguised herself as a young man, meets the equally homeless Orlando and falls in love with him without letting him know she is really a female. Their love story is the most important element in the entire play. Rosalind's life becomes complicated when a peasant girl falls in love with her, thinking she is a young man. Since female roles were played by young men in Elizabethan theaters, Rosalind really is a young man pretending to be a young woman who is pretending to be a young man. This makes Rosalind a challenging and intriguing role.

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Describe Rosalind's character in As You Like It.

When the play opens, Rosalind is living with her cousin, Celia and uncle, Duke Frederick, who has banished her father, Duke Senior.  She meets Orlando at a wrestling match and is smitten with him.

Duke Frederick decides to kick Rosliand out too, so she joins forces with Celia and her uncle's fool, Touchstone, to head off to the Forest of Arden.  She will dress as a boy, Ganymede, and her cousin will remain a lady.

Rosalind, the instigator of this fairly dangerous escapade, is obviously resourceful.  She is also willing to take a big risk by dressing as a male.  So, she is brave and daring as well.

When she finds out the Orlando is also in the forest, but that he has been writing mediocre love notes and posting them all about, she decides to tutor him on the Art of Love.  Here, she displays her unconventional side.  She, as a proper young lady, would have been taught to let the man take the lead.  But as Ganymede, she boldly educates Oralndo on how to woo a lady.

She displays much strength of character in the play, standing up for what she believes is right.  In the end, she is reunited with her father and the play ends, in true comic style with her wedding to Orlando.

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In the comedy As You Like It, how is Rosalind portrayed?

Rosalind speaks more lines than any other female character in Shakespeare’s works. She also controls many of the events in As You Like It, in a role that often goes to a male character. Rosalind displays an array of human emotions. She mourns the exile of her father, falls in love at first sight with Orlando, and decides to dress as Ganymede, a young man, when banished by her uncle.

As clever and bold as Rosalind is, she is still human. She becomes disheartened and weary after walking in the woods for so long. She mocks the madness of love, poking fun at Orlando’s poetry and at the jealousy of women. Disguised as a boy, she toys with Orlando, swearing she can cure him of his love sickness. In the process, she woos him, is wooed by him, and tutors him in the ways of romance. In spite of her wisdom, Rosalind pines over Orlando, worrying whether he really loves her.

Ultimately, Rosalind sets everything straight, orchestrating several marriages. She makes a series of promises that are not untrue, to Phebe, the woman who loves her as Ganymede: “I would love you, if I could. I will marry you, if ever I marry woman, and I'll be married to-morrow”; to Orlando: “I will satisfy you, if ever I satisfied man, and you shall be married to-morrow”; and to Silvius, the man who adores Phebe: “I will content you, if what pleases you contents you, and you shall be married to-morrow.”

Rosalind is portrayed as a daring young woman who is as self-aware and witty as she is affectionate. Her behavior and character are central to the play.

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What are the key traits of Rosalind's character in As You Like It?

The best way to answer questions like this is to take notes as you read the play.  Pay attention to what Rosalind is doing and saying - to whom is she speaking?  Is she happy or sad?  Respectful or resentful?  Quote her, too, as you take notes, remembering to include your act/scene number citation so you can refer back to the dialogue.  With Rosalind, too, pay attention to her epilogue at the end of the play - I think that can be very revealing about her character.

The links below may be of help - one pertains directly to Rosalind's character, while the other one will take you to literary criticism about the play.  Good luck!

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