correct to question Rosalind’s interpretation: “Call you this railing?” (43). Phoebe is not railing; she is not writing cruel words to Rosalind. Rosalind also misinterprets Phoebe’s lines that state that the eye of a man wooing her could not hurt her or affect her. Phoebe means that although the eyes of a man could not affect her, the eyes of a god (namely Ganymede) can. But Rosalind interprets the line to indicate that if Ganymede is not a man, then he must be a beast (line 49). After Rosalind finishes reading the poem, Silvius asks, “Call you this chiding?” (64). He is still confused. He does not understand why Rosalind is criticizing the letter so harshly.
The reason for Rosalind’s deliberate misinterpretation is to spare the feelings of Silvius. Silvius’ sorrow at being an unrequited lover will only grow worse in the knowledge that Phoebe is deeply in love with another man.
Rosalind tells Silvius that Phoebe does not deserve his love, but she also recognizes that Silvius is a “tame snake” (70): love has made him weak and powerless. He cannot stop loving Phoebe. Therefore, Rosalind tells Silvius to say to Phoebe, “that if she love me, I charge her to love thee” (70-71). In other words, Ganymede commands Phoebe to love Silvius; and if Phoebe truly loves Ganymede, then she will do as he bids.