Character analysis of Celia in "As you like it ".

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Character Analysis

Celia is the daughter of Duke Frederick, cousin to Rosalind, and a general balance to Rosalind's foolish love.

Celia and Rosalind, Together Forever

Celia values her relationship with Rosalind so much that very little else matters to her, which is why she runs away with Rosalind to the Forest of Arden (disguised as Aliena). This makes sense, as the girls initially seem like twin sisters:

[..] if she be a traitor,

Why so am I; we still have slept together,

Rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together,

And wheresoever we went, like Juno's swans,

Still we went coupled and inseparable. (1.3.12)

Initially, Celia and Rosalind are partners in crime, jesting together, running off together, changing their identities together (Celia becomes Aliena), and generally having fun�together. Celia even declares their trip into the forest isn't banishment, but a chance at liberty, as they get to be the women they want to be (together).

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Celia and Love

Celia and Rosalind's relationship changes once Orlando enters the scene. Celia is relegated to dealing with Rosalind's constant lovesickness and hijinks as Rosalind/Ganymede. As the play develops, Celia is confined more and more to simply reacting to Rosalind's antics.

Through Celia, we get to investigate Rosalind's changing attitude toward love, which is contrasted by Celia's unchanging skepticism. Rosalind and Celia both see love as foolish fun at the beginning of the play, but things change when the girls get to the forest and learn that Orlando is there. It turns ...

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