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   dymatsuoka

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   Oliver has entered the Forest of Arden with the intention of killing his brother Orlando because of an argument over their family inheritance.  Orlando, who has heard of Oliver's treachery, is fleeing from his brother, and searching for food in the forest.  He comes upon Oliver, who has disguised himself as "a wretched, ragged man, o'ergrown with hair...sleeping on his back...under an old oak" deep in the forest (IV, iii, 508).  A snake has wrapped itself around his neck, but as Orlando approaches, it slithers away.  Orlando sees that a lioness lurks nearby, and, recognizing his brother and knowing that he has plotted to kill him, considers leaving him there to meet his fate.  Orlando's kind nature prevails, however, and, ignoring the danger to himself, he takes on the lioness and saves Oliver, sustaining a bloody wound to his arm.  Orlando's heroic act causes him to be late for his scheduled rendezvous with Rosalind.

   Oliver had gone into the forest to kill his brother

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   Posted by dymatsuoka on Tuesday June 24, 2008 at 9:13 AM