MARTIAL

The Oxford English Dictionary defines martial as of or relating to battle or war. Similarly, it refers to anything regarding the military. The term was first used in 1420 by John Lydgate in his work Troyyes book. It is still in use as evidenced by its appearance in a 1992 London Times article. Shakespeare used the term throughout his career and its use here is helpful in understanding the performative nature of gender. Rosalind is referencing herself as a man, thus, she uses swashing and martial to attribute masculine behaviors to her female being.

 

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