Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

this moment with soft music playing in the background and in the way that he has Celia notice their
exchange, for she suggests a joint future for them in the way that she says “Oooh” as the two stare into each
other’s eyes. Celia and Rosalind abruptly depart after the eye lock and a stunned Orlando silently beckons
them back. The director seems to have given Rosalind great expression in this moment, for Rosalind and
Celia reappear out of nowhere and Rosalind is overly excited that her new lover is calling her back. The
audience can see that she is not shy around him, for they are again staring at each other and smiling as
Rosalind holds a one-sided conversation with him. She even goes as far to snip at her cousin when Celia
tries to interrupt her “chat” with her new lover. It is believed that this encounter opened Rosalind up to
love and, later, to a life of freedom. Her attitude follows her as we see the scene of her banishment.
Rosalind’s newfound boldness is very obvious when she goes as far as to question her uncle about her
banishment. Rather than appearing as a meek, defeated woman, McAnuff portrays Rosalind as a strong and
defiant character who dares to speak out against her uncle. The audience can tell that this was shocking and
forbidden because one of Duke Frederick’s guards stepped forward as she raised her voice. Because she is
so open and expressive, it is clear to the audience that her transformation has begun.
While Rosalind continues to become more open, it is not until she is dressed as a man that she feels
free to do as she pleases, which is quite clearly demonstrated in the various interactions she has around the
forest. Rosalind is more confident when they are in the woods, particularly when she comes across
Orlando speaking to Jaques in the forest. It is as if she is suddenly struck with an ingenious plan to fool him,
which demonstrates the boost in her confidence since she first laid eyes on him. However, McAnuff still
assigns Rosalind the characteristics of a love-struck woman, for when Rosalind boldly approaches Orlando,
asking him if he can hear her, she falters at the sound of his voice because she is taken aback to be talking to
her love. Once she regains her composure, Rosalind appears to possess great wit and knowledge about
matters of the heart, as she tells Orlando all of the signs of a lover and how she can cure him of his “love
sickness.” The audience can see how carefree Rosalind is because she is not afraid to speak harshly with
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