Rosalind (As You Like It)
Rosalind Cousins the 3rd | |
---|---|
As You Like It character | |
Created by | William Shakespeare |
In-universe information | |
Family | Orlando (husband) Duke Senior (father) Celia (cousin) |
Rosalind is the
Origins
Rosalynde is the heroine of Lodge's Euphues' Golden Legacy. In George Fletcher's quoted writings: “'Faire Rosalind' had, however, at this time, acquired a fresh poetic fame as the object of Spenser's attachment, celebrated in his Shephearde's Calendar, 1579, and Colin Clouts Come Home Againe, 1595. Of all the sweet feminine names compounded from Rosa, that of Rosa-linda seems to be the most elegant, and therefore most befitting that particular character of ideal beauty which the dramatist here assigns to his imaginary princess.”[1]
Role in the play
Rosalind is the heroine and the daughter of the exiled Duke Senior and niece to his usurping brother, Duke Frederick. Her father is banished from the kingdom, breaking her heart. She then meets
Analysis
Rosalind is one of Shakespeare's most recognized heroines. Generally noted for her resilience, quick wit, and beauty, Rosalind is a vital character in As You Like It. Most commonly seen next to her beloved cousin Celia, Rosalind is also a faithful friend, leader, and schemer. She stays true to her family and friends throughout the entire story, no matter how dangerous the consequences are. Rosalind dominates the stage. Her true decision-making skills can be seen in the last scene of Act V (5) where she has to present herself as Rosalind to her father and to Orlando, but at the same time change Phebe's opinion to marry Silvius. She is the main character of the play who extracts the clarity of important traits in other characters.
Gender conventions
In As she likes it : Shakespeare's unruly women, Penny Gay analyses Rosalind's character in the framework of gender conventions that ascribe femininity with qualities such as “graciousness, warmth … [and] tenderness”.[2] However, Rosalind's demanding tone towards Orlando contradicts these conventions. She rejects these stereotypes of femininity believing that “the wiser [the woman is], the waywarder” she is.[3][2] By claiming that women who are wild are smarter than those who are not, Rosalind often refutes the perception of women as passive in their pursuit of men. In the book A Feminist Companion to Shakespeare, Carol T. Neely supports this by mentioning that through her actions, Rosalind often adopts stereotypical “masculine behavior,” such as “initiating conversations” and “arranging marriages”.[4]
Performance history
Theatre
Helen McCrory played Rosalind in 2005 at Wyndham's Theatre in London under the direction of David Lan.[6] In 2009, Naomi Frederick portrayed Rosalind at Shakespeare's Globe.[7]
Television
Helen Mirren played Rosalind in the 1978 BBC Television Shakespeare version of the play directed by Basil Coleman.[8] In Shakespeare: The Animated Tales' 1994 adaptation of As You Like It, Sylvestra Le Touzel voiced Rosalind.[9]
Film
Rosalind has been played by various notable actresses on film including
Other adaptations
Helena Bonham Carter portrayed Rosalind in the 2000 BBC Radio 4 version of As You Like It.[7]
References
- ^ Fletcher, George (1876). "Studies of Shakespeare (p. 200)". Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ OCLC 834223865.
- ISBN 9781139164573.
- ISBN 978-1-118-50122-1
- ^ "Marymount Manhattan College Presents AS YOU LIKE IT". Brodway World. 2009-11-16. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Billington, Michael (2005-06-22). "As You Like It, Wyndhams Theatre, London". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ OCLC 958292736.
- ^ As You Like It (1978) at the Internet Movie Database, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077180/
- ^ ISBN 9780230243804– via Google Books.
- ^ Elizabeth Bergner
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-20.