"I never loved my brother in my life." (III.i.34)
There are two major sets of foil characters in this play. Orlando and Oliver are very different brothers. Orlando is the youngest son and is very kindhearted and liked by many people. Orlando doesn't hate Oliver, he just wants to be treated fairly and given an education. Oliver on the other hand hates Orlando and threatens to kill him. He is supposed to take care of Orlando and give him an education but he refuses to and is bitter that everyone likes Orlando. The other set of foil characters are Duke Senior and Duke Frederick. Duke Frederick is viewed as the mean and evil brother who took the power from Duke Senior and banished him as well as Rosalind. Duke Senior seems like a very mellow and happy man. He enjoys living in the forest and has a positive outlook despite the fact that he lost his land and power. I think these foil characters drive the plot and their relationships with each other are essential to the play.
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