As You Like It · Chapter
Scene III explained
Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind from court, and Celia vows to go with her.
What happens
Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind from court, and Celia vows to go with her. They devise a plan to flee to the Forest of Arden, with Rosalind disguising herself as a man named Ganymede and Celia as Aliena. They decide to take Touchstone along for comfort.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because Rosalind, who has been orchestrating the pastoral love games from a positi…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Disguise and Deception
Rosalind and Celia adopt male and humble disguises to navigate the forest safely.
- Gender and Power
Rosalind's plan to dress as a man highlights the limitations placed on women and the power of male presentation.
- Love and Marriage
Rosalind's love for Orlando is revealed as a driving force behind her emotional turmoil.
Characters to notice
- Rosalind
Banished by Duke Frederick; decides to disguise as Ganymede for safety.
- Celia
Refuses to be separated from Rosalind; chooses the alias Aliena and plans their flight.
- Duke Frederick
Banishes Rosalind from court, accusing her of treason by association.
- Touchstone
Mentioned as the clownish fool they plan to bring along for comfort.
Key passages
“Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.”
Attractive appearance attracts criminals more readily than money does.
Rosalind expresses concern about the dangers of traveling as beautiful women.
“I’ll put myself in poor and mean attire And with a kind of umber smirch my face; The like do you: so shall we pass along And never stir assailants.”
I will dress in shabby clothes and darken my face with makeup; you do the same, so we can travel without attracting attackers.
Celia proposes a disguise to avoid danger during their flight.
“Were it not better, Because that I am more than common tall, That I did suit me all points like a man?”
Wouldn't it be better, since I am unusually tall, to dress completely as a man?
Rosalind suggests a male disguise to enhance their safety.
