Student Question

Why does Rosalind react negatively toward Phoebe in As You Like It?

Quick answer:

Rosalind reacts so negatively to Phoebe because of Phoebe's heartless rejection of Silvius and because of Phoebe's attraction to Rosalind's alter ego, Ganymede.

Expert Answers

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In Shakespeare's As You Like It, Rosalind reacts negatively toward Phoebe first because Phoebe has rejected Silvius and second because Phoebe thinks that she has fallen in love with Rosalind's alter ego, Ganymede.

Rosalind hears Silvius lament over his beloved Phoebe, who is rejecting him. Rosalind can sympathize with his heartache because of her own separation from Orlando. Later, Silvius begs Phoebe not to reject him, but she will not pity him. Rosalind speaks to Phoebe, chastising her for her pride and her insults to Silvius. Rosalind can see Silvius's sincerity, and she knows that he is a good man and does not deserve to be so treated.

Rosalind is disguised as Ganymede when she chides Phoebe, though, and her words backfire, for Phoebe decides that she is attracted to the young "man" who is speaking to her. Rosalind again urges Phoebe to accept Silvius, but Phoebe is now taken with Ganymede.

Phoebe then sends a letter to Ganymede through Silvius, and this makes Rosalind all the more disgusted with her. The last thing Rosalind needs is this complication. Phoebe is actively pursuing Ganymede, and Rosalind calls her a tyrant and accuses her of playing with Silvius's affections, using them for her own purposes.

In the end, though, when Rosalind reveals her true identity, she gets Phoebe and Silvius together at last as Phoebe realizes her mistake.

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