with all of its corruptive influences; but by being out in nature, away from those influences, Oliver has become kind and loving. Shakespeare suggests that kindness and love are natural qualities of man, but man can lose those qualities when he is surrounded by cruelty and hate. However, even those most corrupted by society are capable of redemption.
Oliver explains to Rosalind that Orlando did not come himself because during the struggle the lioness had wounded his arm. As proof of this wound, Oliver offers to her a bloody napkin or cloth which had been used when Oliver tended to the wound.
Rosalind faints at the sight of Orlando’s blood. And Oliver, not realizing that Rosalind in her disguise as Ganymede is really a woman, tells her, “You lack a man’s heart” (163-64).
Rosalind, not wanting Oliver to see through her disguise, tells Oliver that she was only pretending to faint. Oliver, however, is not fooled by Rosalind’s lie. He knows that her fainting was genuine.
Oliver then leaves with Rosalind and Celia as they head home.