Shakespeares As You Like It - The Transformation of Rosalind :: Shakespeare As You Like It Essays

As You Like It  The Transformation of Rosalind                    Many characters undergo a mixed bag in William Shakespe ars play, As You Like It.  Duke Senior goes from organism a fragment of a court to being a member of a forest.  Orlando changes from a bitter tenderer brother to a love-sick young man. But the most obvious transmutation undergone, is done by Rosalind.  Her change from woman to man, non only alters her mood, candor, and gender, but every last(predicate)ows her to be the master of ceremonies.         Celia and Rosalind are fairly happy in the court of Celias father, Duke Frederick.  However, more to her surprise, the Duke banishes Rosalind from his court.  Celia, not allowing her beloved cousin to go it alone, decides to accompany her to where ever she  whitethorn roam.  They decide to search out Rosalinds father, Duke Senior, in the forest of Arden.  forrader they depart, Rosalind decides that for both her and Celias safety, she will dress herself as a man, saying,                   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 ax upon my thigh,                 A boar spear in my hand, and- in my hear                  inhabit there what hidden womans fear there will-                 Well postulate a swashing and a martial outside,                  As many other mannish cowards have                 That do outface it with their semblances.                 (13 ll. 112-120)   At first glance, this transformation is a mere change of clothes and the addition of weapons, but it goes much deeper.         To Rosalind, the taking on of a mans appearance requires authorized things.  She believes that while dressed as a man, she cannot bring shame to the shape of a man.  A good example of this is in Act 2, paroxysm 4, where she says, I could find in my heart to disgrace my mans/ apparel and to cry like a woman but I must comfort/ the weaker