Understanding Shakespeare: As You Like It by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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Act I, Scene 1: I Wrestle for My Credit

 

Charles then explains to Oliver the purpose of his visit. Tomorrow, Charles explains, he will be wrestling at the court. Charles informs Oliver. “I wrestle for my credit” (108). His reputation and livelihood depend on his winning. Thus, Charles must do everything he can to win; and his opponents usually end up with one or two broken bones. Some even end up receiving fatal injuries.

Charles has heard that young Orlando has signed on to fight against Charles. The wrestler does not wish to offend Oliver, and so he pleads with the aristocrat to stop his youngest brother from fighting.

Oliver, however, is quite happy that his youngest brother could be seriously harmed or killed in the fight. So, the devious brother tells Charles that Orlando is villainous and will cheat to win the fight: “he will practice against thee by poison, entrap thee by some treacherous device, and never leave thee till he hath ta’en thy life by some indirect means or other” (127-29). Oliver is thus giving the wrestler permission to hurt his brother. Charles believes the lies, and he promises to treat Orlando roughly in the wrestling match.