Orlando (As You Like It)

Orlando is a fictional character and one of the male leads in the comedy As You Like It (1599/1600) by William Shakespeare. Orlando is the third and youngest son of the deceased Old Sir Rowland de Bois, and carries a name which is the Italian version of the name "Rowland", born by his recently deceased father.

Orlando's eldest brother, Oliver mistreats Orlando by only allowing him an inheritance of 1,000 crowns. Orlando believes he should be learning how to act as a gentleman, but his brother keeps him "rustically at home". Despite this treatment and lack of education, Orlando is often characterised as brave, chivalrous, tender, modest, smart, strong, and handsome. He resents the harsh treatment he receives at Oliver's hands and laments how Oliver has denied him an education and the money he is rightfully owed.

Orlando is the love interest of Rosalind, who has also been mistreated by circumstance. Orlando and Rosalind meet after Orlando defeats a wrestler named Charles in a public match. Orlando communicates his love to Rosalind before he escapes to the Forest of Arden with his servant Adam.

While in Arden, he is accepted into the circle of the usurped Duke Senior and writes poems on trees to Rosalind. When Rosalind sees these poems she strikes up a relationship with him as Ganymede, and the two act out a relationship between Orlando and Rosalind under the guise that it will cure Orlando of his love for her. At the conclusion of the play he is married to Rosalind and reinstated in his wealth and station.

The city of Orlando, Florida, is widely believed to have been named for the character of Orlando.