Understanding Shakespeare: As You Like It by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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cannot help herself: she is completely smitten (love- sick) with Rosalind/Ganymede.

Rosalind realizes that her plan has backfired: she realizes that Phoebe has fallen in love with her. In words that should be spoken as an aside (and not to any character on stage), Rosalind decides to respond to Phoebe’s feelings with “frowning looks” and “bitter words” (lines 68-70). Of course, just as Phoebe’s frown and harsh words did not discourage Silvius, Rosalind’s frowns and words will not have any effect on Phoebe.

Before she leaves the scene, Rosalind once again advises Phoebe to “be not proud” (79). However, Rosalind is acutely aware that she has failed in her attempt to help the course of love.