This is the first scene when it becomes markedly apparent for Orlando, the differences in roles and treatment of men and women within society. Although she feels in herself, that she is the same person she has always been, she is treated differently based upon her gender.
The casting of Quentin Crisp for the role of Queen Elizabeth 1, is an interesting and somewhat controversial choice of character. For the most part, this feeds into Potter's more broad derrailing of gender assuptions. In essence, by having Crisp adopt this female role, Potter is highlighting the performative nature of gender and identity.
This marks the pivotal point at which Orlando transgresses the realm from 'male' to 'female'; a direct comment on the fragility and instability on these socially constructed binary oppositions.
