Study Questions
1. Why does Orlando resent the way he has been treated by his brother Oliver?

2. How does Charles describe the exiled Duke Senior and his court?

3. Why does Duke Frederick allow the daughter of his banished brother to remain at court?

4. What plot does Oliver hatch against Orlando?

5. Why is Orlando warned not to wrestle with Charles?

6. What gift does Rosalind give to Orlando after he wins his wrestling match?

7. How do we know that Rosalind and Orlando have fallen in love at first sight?

8. What warning does Le Beau bring to Orlando after the match?

9. What are the reasons Duke Frederick gives for banishing Rosalind?

10. Why do Rosalind and Celia disguise themselves when they leave the court?

Answers
1. Orlando resents his treatment at his brother's hands because Oliver has ignored the bequests made by their late father. Sir Rowland de Boys left Orlando a thousand crowns and requested that Oliver provide for his education as a gentleman, but Oliver has kept Orlando "rustically at home" and has treated him no better than one of his horses or oxen.

2. Charles describes the exiled Duke and his court as living like Robin Hood and his Merry Men in the Forest of Arden. There they "fleet the time carelessly as they did in the golden world."

3. Duke Frederick has allowed Rosalind to remain at court because of her friendship with his daughter Celia. Charles tells Oliver that "the Duke's daughter her cousin so loves her, being ever from their cradles bred together, that she would have followed her exile, or have died to stay behind her."

4. Oliver plots to have Charles disable or kill Orlando during the wrestling match scheduled for the next day. He tells Charles "I had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger" and warns him that Orlando may resort to poison or treachery if Charles does not take care of him first.

5. Celia, at Duke Frederick's bidding, warns Orlando that he has seen "cruel proof" of Charles's strength. Charles has seriously injured his first three opponents and Orlando's safety is at stake.

6. Rosalind gives Orlando a chain from around her neck and bids him to "wear this for me."

7. Rosalind tells Orlando, "Sir, you have wrestled well, and overthrown/ More than your enemies." After Rosalind exits, Orlando proclaims, "O poor Orlando, thou art overthrown!/ Or Charles, or something weaker master thee."

8. Le Beau tells Orlando to "leave this place" because the Duke is angry and there is no telling what he might do.

9. Duke Frederick accuses Rosalind of being a traitor and says he does not trust her. When asked to explain his reasoning he replies, "Thou art thy father's daughter, there's enough."

10. Rosalind and Celia decide to disguise themselves because it would be dangerous for young women to travel alone in the countryside.