Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Adventures of Rinaldo and Orlando explained
Rinaldo, after overcoming a monster, meets the damsel Flordelis and agrees to rescue her lover Florismart from an enchantress.
What happens
Rinaldo, after overcoming a monster, meets the damsel Flordelis and agrees to rescue her lover Florismart from an enchantress. He battles a giant and a griffin to obtain the magical horse Rabican, then becomes embroiled in the war between King Galafron and Angelica. Rinaldo fights Orlando, but their combat is interrupted. Angelica, still loving Rinaldo, sends Orlando to destroy the garden of the enchantress Falerina, while Rinaldo also sets out on the same quest. Orlando defeats a dragon, enters the garden, captures Falerina, slays a siren, and learns that the captives are held by the more powerful enchantress Morgana. Meanwhile, Rinaldo is defeated by the bridge-ward Arridano and thrown into a lake.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Both Rinaldo and Orlando embark on quests to rescue captives and destroy enchantments, demonstrating knightly valor and perseverance.
Love and Transformation
Angelica's unrequited love for Rinaldo and her manipulation of Orlando drive key plot developments, while Flordelis's love motivates Rinaldo's quest.
Jealousy and Revenge
Rinaldo's hatred for Angelica, stemming from the fountain of hate, leads him to fight against her cause, and Orlando's anger at the theft of Durindana fuels his determination.
Characters to notice
- Rinaldo of Montalban
Main protagonist; overcomes a monster, battles a giant and griffin, obtains Rabican, fights Orlando, and is later defeated by Arridano.
- Orlando
Fights Rinaldo, is sent by Angelica to destroy Falerina's garden, defeats a dragon, captures Falerina, slays a siren, and learns of Morgana.
- Angelica
Sends Orlando to destroy Falerina's garden; sends Bayard to Rinaldo in an attempt to win his love.
- Astolpho
Fights on Rinaldo's side and is rescued by Rinaldo during the battle.
- Flordelis
Damsel who seeks Rinaldo's help to rescue her lover Florismart; accompanies Rinaldo on his quest.
- Falerina
Enchantress who imprisons knights; captured by Orlando and later leads him to Morgana.
- Morgana
More powerful enchantress who holds the captives; Falerina fears her.
- Arridano
Ferocious bridge-ward who defeats Rinaldo and throws him into the lake.
Key passages
“He soon met with a weeping damsel, who, being questioned as to the cause of her sorrow, told him she was in search of one to do battle to rescue her lover, who had been made prisoner by a vile enchantress, together with Orlando and many more.”
Rinaldo soon encountered a crying woman who explained she was looking for a champion to save her lover, who was captured by an evil sorceress along with Orlando and others.
Introduces Flordelis and the quest to rescue Florismart.
“This horse was a creature of enchantment, matchless in vigor, speed, and form, which disdained to share the diet of his fellow-steeds—corn or grass—and fed only on air. His name was Rabican.”
The horse Rabican was a magical being, superior in strength and speed, that ate only air instead of normal horse food.
Describes the enchanted horse Rabican.
“Rinaldo thus found himself, almost without his own choice, enlisted on the side of the enemies of Angelica, which gave him no concern, so completely had his draught from the fountain of hate steeled his mind against her.”
Rinaldo ended up fighting against Angelica's side, but he didn't care because drinking from the fountain of hate had made him immune to any affection for her.
Explains Rinaldo's emotional state due to the fountain of hate.
“Orlando was mounted upon Bayard, Rinaldo’s horse, which Agrican had by chance become possessed of, and Orlando had taken from him as the prize of victory. Bayard would not fight against his master, and Orlando was getting the worse of the encounter.”
Orlando rode Bayard, Rinaldo's horse, which he had won from Agrican, but Bayard refused to attack his true master, putting Orlando at a disadvantage.
Highlights the loyalty of Bayard to Rinaldo.
“She replied that the garden could only be entered at sunrise and gave him such instructions as would enable him to gain admittance. She gave him also a book in which was painted the garden and all that it contained, together with the palace of the false enchantress.”
The damsel told Orlando the garden was only accessible at dawn and provided him with a guidebook showing the garden's layout and the enchantress's palace.
Orlando receives crucial information and a magical book for his quest.
