Love, act 1 scene 2. As you like it

Within act one scene two, Celia is comforting Rosalind  We know the two of them share a close relationship and from the scene it is obvious how caring the two of them are together, they exclaim their love for each other and know they shall never be apart. In the 20th century, this can be seen as being too close for comfort in a family relationship, however during Shakespearean times love was seen as an emotion which did not relate to intimate feelings but simply liking someone very much and caring a great deal for them, whether it be between mother and daughter, friends, of siblings.

Due to this this, we as an audience may interpret the scene differently to how Shakespeare intended as times and opinions have changed throughout the years. However a Shakespearean audience may also have found this scene offensive because male actors are playing female actors that are been gentle and close. Men were not seen to have a soft side, especially with other men as it was unheard of. Therefore the audience may have been surprised, with the scene leaving them feeling uncomfortable. Whether this was the intentions of Shakespeare when he wrote the scene as he knew the cast would be all male, we cannot be certain. He may have wanted to see the reactions of an audience when males needed each others support and love. Or he may have wanted to add a different element to love, as men wouldn't love each other in an intimate way shakespeare may have thought differently.