# Orlando — As You Like It character guide

> Orlando in As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** young Orlando, Orlando Of, Orlando Ay, Orlando Virtue, Orlando Forbear, Orlando Fair youth, O poor Orlando

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

The youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, cheated of his inheritance by his brother, who wrestles his way into Rosalind's heart and then into the forest.

## Who they are

Orlando opens the play pinned under his elder brother Oliver's cruelty—kept at home like a farm animal while his education and birthright are withheld. He answers with his body: he wrestles the duke's champion, wins, and falls instantly and speechlessly in love with Rosalind. When Oliver's malice turns murderous, Orlando flees to Arden, where he hangs love poems on trees and lets a boy named Ganymede lecture him on the art of wooing. His earnestness is the joke and the point: he is the play's proof that a good man can be taught.

## Relationships

### [Rosalind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters/rosalind)

_romantic_

Orlando and Rosalind are passionate lovers, with Rosalind testing his devotion through her Ganymede disguise.

### [Rosalind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters/rosalind)

_romantic_

Orlando and Rosalind are passionate lovers, with Rosalind testing his devotion through her Ganymede disguise.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Complains to Adam about his brother's neglect and confronts Oliver, asserting his rights as a gentleman.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Defeats Charles in wrestling; proudly declares himself Sir Rowland's son; becomes smitten with Rosalind.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Suspected by Duke Frederick to be with the runaways due to the ladies' admiration of his wrestling victory.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Warned by Adam of Oliver's murder plot; decides to flee with Adam.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Shows compassion and determination as he comforts and supports the dying Adam, vowing to find food or die trying.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vii)

Enters with sword drawn, demands food, then apologizes and brings Adam to the table.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Hangs verses on trees, meets Ganymede, agrees to woo him as Rosalind.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Arrives late to meet Rosalind, participates in the mock courtship and wedding, and promises to return by two o'clock after attending the duke.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Referenced as having saved Oliver from a lioness and sending a bloody napkin to Rosalind.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Consents to Oliver's marriage and expresses heartache at seeing his brother's happiness; agrees to meet Rosalind (as Ganymede) the next day for his own wedding.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv)

Agrees to marry Rosalind when she is brought forth, and joyfully accepts her true identity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters/orlando
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/as_you_like_it_se/characters