Celia is one of the important characters of Shakespeare's As You Like It

As You Like It

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...

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Celia is the daughter of Duke Frederick. Celia and Rosalind

Rosalind

-People:*Rosalind Chao , American actress born in Anaheim, California*Rosalind Franklin , British physical chemist and crystallographer who made very important contributions to the understanding of the fine structures of coal and graphite, DNA and viruses*Rosalind Hursthouse, a philosopher whose...

 are cousins but they have sisterly affection.

A Lovable Character

Celia is portrayed as a fine and lovable character. She is gentle, caring and loving person. She is essentially feminine but bold to take decision whenever the opportunity arises. She has strong character as she does not take time to decide to accompany Rosalind to the forest.

Physical Appearance

Celia is beautiful, but with a beauty less sparkling than that of Rosalind. Orlando describes both of them as 'fair and excellent ladies'.

Celia is shorter than her cousin and less majestic in appearance. She has a gentle expression combined with a habitual serious appearance. Hence Rosalind addresses her at one time as 'my pretty little coz', and at another as, 'sad brow and true maid'.

Love for Rosalind

Celia's love for Rosalind knows no limits and is frequently referred to in the play. Charles, the wrestler relates that Celia loves her cousin so much that she would have followed Rosalind into exile in case Rosalind too had been banished along with her father.

Le Beau, the courtier describes their love as 'dearer than the natural bond of sisters'. This shows that her love for cousin is pure and supreme.

Silent and Reserved

Celia is silent and retired. She is more conventional than Rosalind and hence more worldly prudent. Her silence is in contrast to Rosalind's talkative nature. However, Celia, by her prudence exercise command over herself as well as over others. When the two cousins are alone, Celia is full of life and humour, but in the presence of others she is content to play the part of a spectator.

Marriage with Oliver

Celia's love for Oliver is sudden, intense and uncontrollable, despite the knowledge of Oliver's past wicked deeds. In this connection, it should be remembered that love in Shakespeare is an irrational passion.

Celia's marriage with Oliver has been criticised by many critics. Stopford Brooke opines that this marriage is against probability because it looks strange that Oliver should change in a moment from the scoundrel. But her marriage with Oliver does not bring disgrace to her character. Oliver was a bad character but has changed into a good one by a sudden stroke. So Celia's marriage with Oliver is not a blot on her character.

Performance

Celia has been played by various notable actresses. Sophie Stewart

Sophie Stewart

Sophie Stewart was a British actress. She was born in Crieff, Perthshire on 5 March 1908. Died 1977. In 1937 she starred in Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel as Lady Blakeney.She was married to the actor Ellis Irving.-Selected filmography:...

 played Celia in a 1936 film. Rosalind Knight

Rosalind Knight

Rosalind Knight is an English actress. She was the daughter of actor Esmond Knight and his first wife, Frances Clare and the stepdaughter of actress Nora Swinburne....

 in the 1963 UK television series, Angharad Rees

Angharad Rees

Angharad Mary Rees is a Welsh actress, best-known for her British television roles during the 1970s, garnering notice for her leading role as Demelza in the 1970s BBC drama series Poldark.-Career:...

 in the 1978 BBC version of the play directed by Basil Coleman, and Romola Garai

Romola Garai

Romola Sadie Garai is an English actress. She is known for appearing in the movies Amazing Grace, Atonement, and Glorious 39, and for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Emma.-Early life:...

 in the 2006 production

As You Like It (2006 film)

As You Like It is a 2006 film directed by Kenneth Branagh. It is based on the play As You Like It by William Shakespeare. The play's setting is relocated from medieval France to a European colony in late 19th century Japan after the Meiji Restoration. It was shot at Shepperton Film Studios and on...

 directed by Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from Northern Ireland. He is best known for directing and starring in several film adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays including Henry V , Much Ado About Nothing , Hamlet Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from...

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