Character of Rosalind in As You Like it by William Shakespeare for BA students

 

Character of Rosalind in As You Like it by William Shakespeare

Rosalind is one of the lovable and brilliant heroines in Shakespeare’s plays. She posses the quality of wit and emotion. She dominates the play and has a dynamic personality. She is humble and has got a noble soul. She is the daughter of the banishes Duke Senior. The present Duke’s daughter Celia is intimately attached to Rosalind. Celia comforts Rosalind in her state of melancholy. Rosalind agrees to forget her anxieties to share Celia’s happiness.

Rosalind feels sympathetic towards Orlando who is ready to enter a wrestling contest with Charles. Thinking that Charles will defeat Orlando, she feels sympathy for him. But Orlando wins the match. She falls in love with Orlando and gives her chain as a token of his victory.

Duke Frederick claims to banish Rosalind from his court. He banishes her because she is the daughter of Duke Senior, who is a traitor. She appeals to him not to treat her so. But the Duke banishes her from the court. Rosalind becomes sad but Celia cheers her up and both decide to move towards the Forest of Arden. She plans to disguise as a man under the name Ganymede and Celia as Aliena.

Rosalind and Celia reach the forest and discovers the verses written in praise of Rosalind on the branches of the tree. She asks Celia about the poet. She insists Celia to remove the cork from her mouth and reveal the name of the poet.

Rosalind disguised as a man is fully aware of Orlando who wears no disguise. She speaks about Time. She talks about the marks of a lover. She accounts about how she treated and cured a lover. She mocks at the behavior of women in an amusing manner. Her intervention with Silvius and Phoebe shows not only her wit, but her strict nature. She feels bad about Phoebe having a heartless nature towards Silvius. She scolds Phoebe for insulting a true lover.

Rosalind’s wit and womanliness adds beauty to her character. She is a woman of high spirit and brave.