Oliver is the elder son of Sir Rowland de Boys and elder
brother of Orlando. They have another brother, Jacques. Orlando is the youngest son and
brother; Jacques is second born. Birth order is possibly the reason Oliver hates
Orlando, for hate him he does. While Oliver sends Jacques to school to be educated as a
gentleman, he ignores Orlando. Orlando, on the other hand, has borne with Oliver's
neglect and done his best to make something of himself in his restricted circumstances;
he has become a wrestler of great accomplishment.
Oliver has always
acted in such a way as to provoke Orlando to wrath and, finally, on a day the play opens
with, Orlando lets his wrath fly--this action is not without potentially disastrous
consequences for Orlando.
ORLANDO: I would not take this
hand
from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy
tongue for
saying so: thou hast railed on thyself.
OLIVER: I will
physic your
rankness, and yet give no thousand
crowns
neither.
Oliver stoops to
unscrupulous and criminal means to get his will accomplished. Orlando seeks to "go buy
[his] fortunes" through honest means, which is why he challenges the wrestling champion
Charles in the competition. Oliver wishes to win in life through hatred and cheating.
Orlando wishes to win through honesty and love.
ROSALIND: But, in good sooth, are you
he
that hangs the verses on the trees, wherein Rosalind
is so
admired?
Oliver is the
villain with qualities antithetical to Orlando’s. Orlando is the hero whom Rosalind
teases into maturity and eminence. Oliver is reformed when he falls in love with Celia.
Orlando is improved through his love for Rosalind who leads him in the right
path.
ROSALIND: I have promised to make all this
matter even.
Keep you your word, O duke, to give your daughter;
You
yours, Orlando, to receive his
daughter:
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