Comment on Shakespeare’s Use of Disguise in “As You Like It.”

Answer

Comment on Shakespeare’s use of disguise in “As You Like It.”

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) had a mastery of craftsmanship. He first invented the dramatic technique of disguise in his world-famous tragicomedy “The Merchant of Venice” (1600) and later in “As You Like It” (1623). The disguise term, which starts at the end of Act One in the play, supports the advancement of the plot and the use of irony, theme, and tragicomic effects.

Significance of Disguise in Shakespeare’s Play: During the Golden Age of English Literature, women were banned from acting in the public theatre. Men or boys played the parts of women. Shakespeare tried to overcome such a situation. So, he invented this dramatic technique in which many of his heroines played the hidden role of men.

Matter of Safety: Duke Frederick suddenly banishes Rosalind, being jealous of her virtues. He declares that Rosalind has to go out twenty miles away from the palace within ten days. Rosalind and Celia show logic against this decision, but the usurping Duke does pay heed to them. Rosalind and Celia become tensed and wonder how and where they will go. Celia agrees to go to “The Forest of Arden” to track down the banished duke. Then the matter of safety comes in front of them, and Rosalind utters sorrowfully: 

What danger will it be to us,

(Maids as we are) to travel forth so far!

Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.

Finally, they decide to take disguise, Rosalind as a male named Ganymede and Celia as the female Aliena. 

A New Journey to Liberty: Shakespeare has shown that Rosalind and Celia have an opportunity to enjoy their new freedom. Celia declares satisfactorily:

Now go we content to liberty and not to banishment.

But this disguise creates a special facility for Rosalind in her new life. In the court, we see that Rosalind is gentle, submissive, and introverted, but in the forest, she is quick, talkative, manly, and fresher than the dew of the forest. Therefore, Shakespeare illustrates by this disguise that total liberty exposes human beings’ hidden talents.

The Versatility of Life: Rosalind and Celia are upper-class women. They never face poverty and hunger and the struggle of life. But for the first time, they notice the various and extremely new forms of life in which food is more valuable than gold. Celia expresses the value of food by her prayer to the shepherd.

I pray you, one of you question yond man

If he for gold will give us any food;

I faint almost to death.

Subplot or Tangle Love: The dramatic significance of disguise is utmost since it has created a subplot in the play in which tangle love is prime. Rosalind, in masculine makeup, is extremely handsome. She is loved by Phebe, who is a symbol of village beauty of conventional type. Phebe is ready to do anything for Ganymede, which means Rosalind will get her love. It creates a humorous misunderstanding. 

Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might: ‘Whoever loved that loved not at first sight?

This showcases the irony and comedic entanglement created by disguise. 

Escape and Freedom: Disguise offers characters an escape from societal constraints. Rosalind and Celia’s disguises as Ganymede and Aliena grant them freedom from courtly life. This newfound liberty allows them to observe society from an outsider’s perspective and comment on its follies. As Ganymede, Rosalind remarks, 

Men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not for love

This shows a newfound perspective on love and life.

In fine, it can be asserted that the disguise technique has added charm and twist to the play, mingled with tragi-comic effects. Besides, Shakespeare has easy access to the human mind as a tragi-comedy composer through his inventive literary technique.