Depict the character of Celia based on your reading of “As You Like It.” [NU: 2016, 22]

Celia is one of the most gentle and lovable characters in Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) comedy “As You Like It” (1623). She is the daughter of Duke Frederick. Although her father is cruel and unjust, Celia is kind in nature. She plays an important role in the play, especially through her deep friendship with Rosalind. Through her actions, Shakespeare presents Celia as loyal, brave, sensible, and morally good.

Kind and Gentle Nature: Celia is kind at heart. She feels sympathy for others and understands their pain. From the beginning, she is shown as a caring person. She tries to comfort Rosalind when Rosalind feels sad about her father’s banishment. She never behaves proudly, even though she is the daughter of the ruling duke. Her gentle behavior makes her different from the harsh atmosphere of the court. She believes in love and goodness rather than power.

Deep Friendship with Rosalind: Celia’s strongest quality is her deep friendship with Rosalind. Rosalind is her cousin, but Celia loves her like a sister. Le Beau, a courtier, describes their love in the following line:

“Dearer than the natural bond of sisters.”

When Duke Frederick suddenly banishes Rosalind from the court, Celia strongly protests. She refuses to accept her father’s injustice. Instead of enjoying a comfortable life at court, she chooses to share Rosalind’s exile. Celia days,

“I cannot live out of her company.”

She goes to the forest with Rosalind. Celia proves that true friendship is stronger than wealth and position.

Courage and Sacrifice: Celia shows great courage when she leaves the court. She sacrifices her royal comfort. She believes she will live better in the Forest of Arden with her sister than in the court. As she says:

“Now go in we content
To liberty and not to banishment.”

She changes her name to “Aliena,” meaning a stranger. She lives like a stranger in the Forest of Arden. Still, she never complains. She adjusts to the new life with patience. Shakespeare presents her as a woman who can face difficulties with calm strength.

Practical and Sensible Mind: Celia is very practical and sensible. She often supports Rosalind with wise advice. When Rosalind becomes emotional, Celia remains calm. She helps plan their journey carefully. She thinks about safety and money. In the forest, she manages daily life quietly. Her practical nature helps both women survive in exile. She balances Rosalind’s imaginative and playful nature with her own calm thinking.

Simple and Pure Love: Celia’s love story is simple and sincere. She falls in love with Oliver at first sight. Her love is sudden, but it is honest. As Rosalind tells Orlando about Celia’s love:

“Your brother and my sister no sooner met but they looked; no sooner looked but they loved;”

Through Celia, Shakespeare shows a simple and pure form of love. Her love leads to harmony and happiness at the end of the play.

Moral Contrast to Duke Frederick: Celia is a moral contrast to her father. Duke Frederick is greedy and power-hungry. Celia is generous and fair. She does not support her father’s cruelty. This contrast shows that goodness can exist even in a corrupt family. Shakespeare uses Celia to show the victory of goodness over injustice.

In fine, Celia is a kind, loyal, and courageous character. She values friendship more than power. She chooses love over comfort. Her simple and supportive nature makes her an important figure in “As You Like It.” Though she stays in the background, her role is essential.