What makes Oliver in "As You Like It" such an unsympathetic character and why does Shakespeare portray him this way?

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Oliver is such an unsympathetic character because of his attitude towards his brother Orlando . He is horrible towards Orlando for seemingly...

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kaustubhbhatter | Student

Oliver is the so-called main villain in Shakespeares pastoral comedy As You Like It. Shakespeare shows him as an unsympathetic character primarily to glorify Orlando's role as the hero of the drama.

It also reveals the good traits of Orlando(with contrast to Oliver). It reveals the injustice done towards Orlando ; however at the same time, explicitly showing the evil - mind of Oliver.

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