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

As You wish It  The Transformation of Rosalind                    Many characters undergo a throw in William Shake impalees play, As You Like It.  Duke Senior goes from being a member of a court to being a member of a forest.  Orlando changes from a cutting younger brother to a love-sick young slice. But the most apparent transformation undergone, is done by Rosalind.  Her change from woman to man, not scarce alters her mood, candor, and gender, but allows her to be the master of ceremonies.         Celia and Rosalind are fairly happy in the court of Celias father, Duke Frederick.  However, much 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  may roam.  They decide to search extinct Rosalinds father, Duke Senior, in the fore st of Arden.  Before they depart, Rosalind decides that for both her and Celias safety, she bequeath dress herself as a man, saying,                   Were it not better,                 Because that I am more than than common tall,                 That I did suit me all points deal a man?                 A gallant curtal ax upon my thigh,                 A boar spear in my hand, and- in my hear                 Lie there what hidden womans fear there will-                 Well have a swashing and a militant outside,         & nbsp       As many other mannish cowards have                 That do stare down 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 certain things.  She believes that while dressed as a man, she cannot bring shame to the image of a man.  A just example of this is in Act 2, Scene 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