Summary

At court, Duke Frederick threatens Oliver that if he does not bring back Orlando “dead or living / Within this twelvemonth . . . turn thou no more / To seek a living in our territory.” In that event, Oliver’s possessions will revert to Frederick. “I never loved my brother in my life,” Oliver swears. “More villain thou,” Frederick snaps back and orders his men to make sure that Oliver leaves the palace.

Analysis

This scene completes the action initiated in Act II, Scene 2 — that is, Oliver must go to the Forest of Arden, where he will eventually meet with the other characters, and it is ironic that Frederick calls Oliver a villain for not loving his brother; Frederick is blatantly guilty of the same want of feeling for his brother.