As You Like It Character Journal: Rosalind Act 2

In act 2, scene 4, Rosalind is very tired and melancholy from walking through the Forest of Arden, but she acts courageously because she is disguised as Ganymede, a man. She believes that men are not aloud to cry and because of this she acts strong and bold. "I could find in my heart to disgrace my man's apparel and to cry like a woman, but I must/comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose/ought to show itself courageous to petticoat. There-/fore courage, good Aliena." (2.4.4-8)

While Rosalind, Touchstone and Celia are resting, they overhear two shepherds, Corin and Silvius, talking about Sivlius's problems with loving a woman named Phoebe. Rosalind has pity on Silvius because she can relate to the situation. "Alas, poor shepherd, searching of they wound,/I have by hard adventure found mine own." (2.4.43-44) But now she has found love which shows that she can't keep Orlando off of her mind. She wants to be with him more than anything at this point.

Rosalind also shows more confidence because she talks to a complete stranger, Corin, and arranges them a place to stay. This shows that she is feeling much more comfortable disguised as a man; she is interacting with other people and becoming much more social. "I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold/Can in this desert place buy entertainment,/Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed./Here's a young maid with travel much oppressed. And faints for succor." (2.4.73-77)