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As You Like It Essay

The pastoral comedy As You Like It, written by the greatest author of his time, William Shakespeare conveys the play’s message through several themes such as gender, family and love. Through the use of comedy, symbolism and other literary devices the author reveals the true themes and meaning of the play.
The idea of gender is an important part of the play. In Elizabethan times women were seen as weak and foolish. In this play the two main characters challenge the traditional idea of gender roles. When Rosalind comes up with the idea of dressing as a male she says, “That I did suit me all points like a man? A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh, a boar spear in my hand; and- in my heart lie there what hidden woman's fear there will- we'll have a swashing and a martial outside, as many other mannish cowards have that do outface it with their semblances” (1.3.20-26). Here she speaks about how she will hide her “woman’s fear” and dress like a man, who looks to be strong and fearless on the outside. Rosalind at first agrees with the stereotypical belief that women are...

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