Free Sample Essays > Shakespeare
The main themes of As You Like It
something she feels and finds it difficult to admit the truth in love. Shakespeare thus illustrates that she is not ideal, that she has flaws like all other human being. Rosalind's clever idea to dress up as Ganymede enables her to have a double identity, which will give her the opportunity to test Orlando's love. Her disguise probably prevents their immediate marriage. "I will speak to him like a saucy lackey and under that habit play the knave with him." (3.2.292-93) She does not however merely play games,
Rosalind she teaches Orlando how to love her. He must keep his promises and respect her thereby proving that his love is real. She takes a cynical view of romantic love to tease Orlando. Rosalind begins to tire of acting after the momentary drop of her guise when she faints at seeing Orlando's bloody handkerchief. When Orlando proves himself to Ganymede and saves the life of his brother Rosalind is ready to make a commitment to him. She does not dispose of her disguise until then because she realizes that only time will show if they are really in love. Time refines their passion for one another. Rosalind is a philosopher Rosalind like Jaque. Her practical love-filled perceptions of the world contrast with his cynical views. Jaque likes to disagree with everyone else. Both Orlando and Rosalind challenge his ideas. In the third act Jaque tried to persuade Orlando that loving Rosalind is not worth his while. Jaque. "The worst fault you have is to be in love." Orlando. "'Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue. I am weary of you." (3.2.
279-82) Rosalind tells Jaque that he is sad and melancholy because he chooses to stay detached from the real life she says: "Fear you have sold your own lands to see other men's... I had rather fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad." Thus Jaque loses in this brief exchange. Touchstone is the fool whom Rosalind would prefer to Jaque. She understands his wisdom: "You speak'st wiser than thou art ware of." Touchstone tells her a story about being in love with a girl. He gave the girl something and said "wear these for my sake", which are almost the same words that Rosalind said to Orlando in the beginning of the play. The love between Orlando and Rosalind is portrayed as superior to other romances, which are more earthy. Touchstone and Audrey's romance represents physical passion. He wants to marry her out of church so that the marriage would be invalid. Silvius who is hopelessly in love with Pheobe, represents pastoral love The diversity of characters' romantic sentiment creates a balance in the play and makes one appreciate their silliness, spirituality and extremities. Compared to Silvius' silly infatuation, Orlando's is more of a courtly lovesickness. Rosalind outshines everyone else in the play with her intelligence, wit and depth of feeling. Her humanity and sense of fun make her the ideal romantic heroine. She seems [next page]