Orlando the Herculean Christ

While poking around with many different mythological and biblical references in "As You Like It", I happened to stumble upon an article written by Richard Knowles. His article explored the allusions of Orlando being a Herculean and Christ-like figure. Let's start from the beginning shall we?

Act I Scene 1, Orlando associates himself with stalled ox, horses and dunghills. While Orlando is clearly expressing his worthlessness due to a lack of education, there just may be a subtle tie to Hercules fifth task of cleansing of the Augean Stables. It may be stretching it just a little, but how about some more solid evidence.

Act I Scene 2, just before the wrestling match there is a direct reference marking the beginning of the pattern of allusions. Rosalind wishes for Orlando to win the match saying, "Now Hercules be they speed, young man!" The defeat of Charles can be seen as Hercules' defeat of the giant Antaeus. Further developing the allusion is a reference embedded in Charles' mocking before the match. "Come, where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth?" Antaeus was known to be son of the earth. The victory over Antaeus symbolized the victory of the rational over the earthly appetite thus portraying Orlando as rational and virtuous.

Act V Scene 1, the allusion continues in Oliver's tale to Rosalind and Celia. Orlando wrestling the lioness and the snake are similar to Hercules' fighting the Nemean Lion, the Hydra, and the snakes sent from Hera. What's more interesting is that the Nemean Lion stands for pride or wrath and the Hydra and snakes for envy.
So allegorically speaking, in defeating the lioness and the snake, Orlando overcame the envy and the wrath in his brother's heart.

Act V also incorporates a more Christ-like figure for Orlando. Although tempted twice to leave his brother, Orlando saves Oliver from the lioness and the snake and in a way from eternal death. After the defeat, Orlando goes into a cave wounded and faints symbolic of the grave of Jesus. Upon waking, Orlando sends out a bloody 'napkin' which could be a reference to the burial garments of Jesus. The wound and the bloody 'napkin' can also symbolize the redemption of Oliver by the sacrificial blood of his brother. As if that isn't enough, after the whole ordeal, Oliver instantly falls in love with Celia whose name happens to mean heaven. Then there's the ending where Duke Senior basically regains 'The Promise Land' and Hymen, the god of marriage, grants heavenly rewards to Orlando and Oliver.