How Does Orlando Save Oliver’s Life in the Forest of Arden?
As You Like It is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of As You Like It.
Answer
How does Orlando save Oliver’s life in the Forest of Arden?
In William Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) play “As You Like It” (1623), Orlando and Oliver are brothers. Oliver has always treated Orlando badly. He even planned to kill him. However, everything changes in the Forest of Arden when Orlando saves Oliver from a snake and a lioness.
Snake and Lioness: One day, Orlando is walking through the forest when he sees a man sleeping under a tree. A snake is coiled around his neck, ready to bite him. Orlando moves closer, and the snake quickly goes away. But under the same tree, there is also a hungry lioness hiding in the bushes. The lioness is waiting to attack the sleeping man.
When Orlando looks at the man’s face, he is shocked—it is his own brother, Oliver. At first, Orlando thinks about leaving him there because of all the terrible things Oliver has done. But he is too kind-hearted to let his brother die. He decides to fight the lioness instead. A fierce struggle takes place. Orlando bravely kills the lioness and saves Oliver’s life.
Oliver’s Realization: When Oliver wakes up, he realizes what Orlando has done. He feels ashamed of how cruel he was before. Oliver realizes:
“Kindness, nobler ever than revenge.”
This moment changes Oliver completely. He apologizes to Orlando and becomes a good, loving brother.
In conclusion, this scene is very important in the play because it shows forgiveness. It shows how people can change for the better. Orlando and Oliver, once enemies, now become true brothers.