In context of this saying, "Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines," what are the leading traits of Rosalind in As You Like It.

Shakespeare is said to not have heroes in his comedies
because of the significant role the lead female characters play (this may not be as
easily asserted for his tragedies and histories, however). Critical opinion holds that
in his comedies, one thing Shakespeare aimed for was to honor the qualities of Queen
Elizabeth. Other Elizabethan Renaissance writers similarly honored Elizabeth in their
writings, most notably Edmund Spenser in The Faerie
Queene. Since Shakespeare aims to honor Elizabeth, he
endows his heroines, such as Rosalind in As You Like It, with
qualities and attributes widely know to belong to the Queen. One reason writers wished
to honor Queen Elizabeth, aside from the privileges of patronage (e.g., court positions
or pensions), was that Elizabeth was lauded in her own time as one of England's greatest
rulers, who, though a woman, was fearless even in the face of battle as she was noted
for donning armor and riding at the head of troops.

The
characteristics of Rosalind show her with both expected female virtues and weaknesses
and with characteristics that transcend gender expectations, likening her to Elizabeth.
Some of Rosalind's key feminine qualities are compassion and tenderness as illustrated
by her conduct toward Orlando when they first meet at the wrestling challenge match ("we
will make it our suit to the duke / that the wrestling might not go forward." 1.2). Also
notable is her friendship and love for Celia (though some may assert Celia's friendship
and love for Rosalind has more devotion) and her initial fear at being cast by King
Ferdinand from his court and her home (the only home she'd ever known since her father
was the deposed King): "Alas, what danger will it be to us, / Maids as we are, to travel
forth so far!" (1.3).

Some of Rosalind's characteristics
that transcend gender are the qualities she begins to show after Celia has shown the way
and led them in taking disguises ("'ll put myself in poor and mean attire / ... / The
like do you" 1.3) and making the arduous trek to "the forest of Arden." Through the trek
to Arden, while wearing the liberating attire of a young lad with a "gallant curtle-axe
upon my thigh, / A boar-spear in my hand" (1.3), Rosalind becomes brave, assertive, and
outspoken, thus putting her woman's wit to work in addressing others' grievances. This
is seen in the following. Upon entering Arden, Rosalind, though on the verge of tears
herself from braving possible dangers and from weariness, comforts Celia/Aliena,
saying:

I must
comfort
the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show
itself
courageous to petticoat: therefore courage,
good
Aliena!

When they meet Corin
and Silvius, Rosalind takes the lead in asking for food and a resting place ("where we
may rest ourselves and feed / Here's a young maid / ... / faints for succor." 2.4) and
later on in securing a cottage: "Buy thou the cottage, pasture and the flock," (2.4).
Later Rosalind is outspoken in her dealings with Orlando, for example, when they finally
meet up ("I would cure you, if you would but call me Rosalind" 3.2). Another example of
her outspokenness is later with Phoebe when Phoebe is so unfortunate as to declare her
love for Rosalind/Ganymede; Rosalind declares: "it is my study / To seem despiteful and
ungentle to you" (5.2).