Discussion Topic

Oliver and Orlando's Conflict in As You Like It

Summary:

In Shakespeare's As You Like It, the conflict between Oliver and Orlando stems from a blend of sibling rivalry and jealousy. Oliver, the eldest brother, resents Orlando's natural charisma, virtues, and popularity, which highlight Oliver's own shortcomings. This animosity is exacerbated by the traditional inheritance practices that favor the oldest male, leaving Orlando without resources. Although Oliver's hatred lacks a specific reason in the text, it reflects broader themes of fraternal rivalry and the need for reconciliation.

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Why does Oliver hate Orlando in Shakespeare's As You Like It?

One thing Oliver says at the end of the opening scene is that he actually doesn't know why he "hates nothing more than" Orlando (I.i.166). Oliver further goes on to describe Orlando's virtues, such as the fact that despite Orlando never having had any formal education, he is very wise and knowledgeable; he is also noble and so "enchantingly beloved" by all that Oliver himself is hated by all, as we see in Oliver's lines:

Yet he's gentle, never schooled and yet learned, full of noble device, of all sorts of enchantingly beloved, and indeed so much in the heart of the world ... that I am altogether mispris'd. (166-71)

Literary critics have argued that Oliver's behavior is never fully explained, but we can surmise Oliver dislikes Orlando out of jealousy. He is jealous of Orlando's "talent, generosity, and aristocratic impulses" but does not see the same virtues in their youngest brother Jaques and so hates Orlando and treats him poorly but not Jaques (eNotes, "Oliver (Character Analysis)").

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What is the cause of conflict between Oliver and Orlando in As You Like It?

In this play, Oliver and Orlando are sons of the late Sir Rowland de Boys.  Oliver is the oldest son and Orlando is the youngest.  There is one other son that we know of.

In those days in Europe, all the property and the title of noble European families was passed to the oldest son and the other sons got nothing.  The oldest son was in control.  This is what caused the conflict in this case.

Oliver, for some reason, does not like Orlando.  There is a lot of speculation about why, but no proof in the text.  At any rate, he has treated Orlando poorly and Orlando is unhappy about this.  So they both dislike each other.

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Why does Oliver call Orlando a villain in As You Like It?

It is always good with such questions that ask you to explain the meaning of a quote to look at the quote in context and see what happens before and after it to try and see if any contextual clues will give you an idea as to what it means. If we do this, we see that Oliver calls Orlando a "villain" in Act I scene 1 of this play after an argument between them in which Orlando complains that Oliver has not given him the education and upbringing that his father desired he should have. As the argument gets gradually more and more heated, it is clear that, although Oliver is older and has the power and money, Orlando is stronger than he is and is able to convincingly show his superiority through fighing with him. Orlando, exasperated with his brother and his attitude towards him, thus moves to handle him and wrestle with him. It is at this stage that Oliver calls his brother a villain, saying:

Wilt thou lay hands on me, villain?

Thus the word indicates the distance and enmity between the brothers, introducing us with a fraternal relationship which is in need of reconciliation, just as we will soon hear about another fraternal relationship in need of reconciliation.

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Why does Oliver initially dislike Orlando in As You Like It?

Oliver and Orlando are brothers, and it appears that Oliver is jealous of Orlando and simply dislikes him because Orlando is who he is.  In the link below to Oliver's character analysis, eNotes mentions that coming up with a reason for Oliver's dislike of Orlando must remain "conjecture" as there really isn't a straight answer given for it in the text of the play.

Remember, too, that Oliver and Orlando are feuding brothers who serve to highlight another brotherly feud in the same play, between Duke Frederick and Duke Senior.

Check the links below for more information.  Good luck!

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