Orlando (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Adeline Virginia Stephen
- First Published: 1928
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Phantasmagoric
- Time of Work: 1588-1928
- Setting: England
- Genres: Long fiction, Bildungsroman, Historical fiction, Satire, Biographical fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: History, Sex or sexuality, Twentieth century, Gender roles, Authors or writers, Nineteenth century, Literature, Poetry or poets, England or English people, Feminism, Women’s issues, Eighteenth century, Seventeenth century, Wit or humor, Aristocracy or aristocrats, Sixteenth century, Women’s rights, Androgyny, Nobility, Turkey or Turkish people, Royal courts or courtiers, Oak
- Locales: London, England, Constantinople
Characters Discussed
Orlando, a young English nobleman of Elizabeth I’s reign. He is a descendant of fighting men but is himself a poet. He becomes a courtier, though scarcely growing older, during the times of Elizabeth, James I, and Charles II. Failing to find satisfaction in literature, he turns to materialistic goals, searching all Europe for furnishings to refurbish his great mansion. While serving Charles II as Ambassador Extraordinary at Constantinople, Orlando sleeps an entire week, during which he mysteriously changes into a woman. Although now female and beautiful,...
[The entire page is 1018 words long]

