Bonds Unbroken Bonded

     Regarding social and part performance in Shakespeare's, As You Like It, I am troubled to find a claim or observation regarding honest characters that does not keep true. I wanted to say, "Amazingly enough, here is a set of characters, perhaps not perfect in nature, but honest and loyal to their image, name, or moral beliefs;" however, that is not the case. Despite how honorable many of our leading characters appear to be, (ie Orlando gallantly wrestles in part perhaps to die and cease space on this earth, and although her father has long since been in her life, Rosalind still remembers him daily by carrying on his sad memory in her heart) they still use a means of lying to achieve their goals.

    Celia and Rosalind both are first read as gentle and meek young women of their time, but when Rosalind is exile, Celia banishes herself as well and plans to, "put myself in poor and mean attire" to "pass along and never stir assailants". Rosalind as well plans to disguise herself as a man and wear, "A gallant curtal-axe upon my thigh, [and] a boar-spear in my hand" (115). She even takes up a new name to be called, "Ganymede" and Celia goes along with the idea and chooses to be called "Aliena" for her new 'character's' name. From clear disguises to a crime many men die for, Rosalind plots worse with Celia, "But cousin, what if we assayed to steal The clownish fool out of your father's court. Would he not comfort our travels?" (128-130). I highly doubt "comfort" would ever be a reasonable plea in court for taking another's man. 

      Both of these characters change who they have strived to be in order to accomplish a goal they feel is higher than their own reputation. In a matter of pages, they go from reputable princess and cousin, to exiled, chosen exile and thieves. If Celia stayed, perhaps she could have secured a safer travel for Rosalind, for then the Duke's men would not hunt after them. Overall, I was surprised to see characters change so much for each other without almost any hesitation. I wonder what some "disguises" we put on and "names" we adopt when we are with friends and how the situation could have been better if we had just acted honestly and without lies.