As You Like It

Drama | William Shakespeare

Comment on Shakespeare’s Use of Disguise in “As You Like It.”

Premium

Comment on Shakespeare s use of disguise in As You Like It William Shakespeare s - use of disguise is crucial in his plays especially in As You Like It In this play disguise is significant because it helps characters escape danger explore love and express themselves more freely Escape Danger Duke Frederick suddenly banishes Rosalind from his court Rosalind disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede to start her adventure into the Forest of Arden As a man she feels safer and stronger As she says to Celia In my heart Lie there what hidden woman's fear there will We'll have a swashing and a martial outside This means her male appearance will allow her to move freely without fear in the forest strong and bold as men Her cousin Celia also disguises herself as a poor woman named Aliena This disguise allows her to live freely Hence

disguise is a matter of safety and freedom in the play Testing Love In the Forest of Arden Rosalind meets Orlando whom she loves Through disguise Shakespeare creates a funny experiment in love in the play Her disguise as Ganymede allows her to test Orlando s love for her She pretends to be a love doctor She tests the sincerity of his feelings for her She even teaches Orlando how to be a better partner Interesting Subplot Shakespeare s disguise has created an interesting subplot in this play Phoebe a shepherdess falls in love with Ganymede She does not know Ganymede is actually a woman Phoebe also rejects Silvius sincere love She also sends Silvius to deliver a love letter to Ganymede Ganymede warns Phoebe I pray you do not fall in love with me This situation makes the audience burst out in laughter Again when characters come into the Forest of Arden they put off their mask disguise of wealth and status of courtly life Here they get the chance to live as real people In the forest they can roam as they please In conclusion through disguise characters escape their problems and learn more about themselves

Continue Reading

Sign in and subscribe to unlock the full content