Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Astolpho's Adventures Continued, and Isabella's Begun explained
Astolpho, armed with a magic book and horn from the fairy Logestilla, returns to France, defeats the enchanter Atlantes, and frees imprisoned knights including Rogero, Bradamante, and Orlando.
What happens
Astolpho, armed with a magic book and horn from the fairy Logestilla, returns to France, defeats the enchanter Atlantes, and frees imprisoned knights including Rogero, Bradamante, and Orlando. Rogero and Bradamante agree to marry if he converts to Christianity. Astolpho acquires the Hippogriff and entrusts Rabican and the golden lance to Bradamante before flying away. Orlando discovers Isabella imprisoned by pirates, rescues her, and later saves Zerbino from execution, reuniting the lovers.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Astolpho's journey to free prisoners and Orlando's rescue of Isabella and Zerbino exemplify heroic quests.
Love and Transformation
Rogero's conversion to Christianity for Bradamante and the reunion of Zerbino and Isabella highlight love's transformative power.
Hospitality and Its Violation
Oderic's betrayal of Isabella and the pirates' imprisonment violate the sacred duty of hospitality.
Characters to notice
- Astolpho
Escapes Alcina, receives magic book and horn from Logestilla, defeats Atlantes, frees prisoners, and acquires the Hippogriff.
- Orlando
Freed from Atlantes' castle, rescues Isabella from pirates, and reunites her with Zerbino.
- Rogero
Freed from enchantment, recognizes Bradamante, agrees to convert to Christianity to marry her.
- Bradamante
Freed from Atlantes' castle, accepts Rogero's proposal on condition of his conversion, later entrusted with Rabican and the golden lance.
- Isabella
Daughter of the king of Galicia, secretly married to Zerbino, betrayed by Oderic, imprisoned by pirates, rescued by Orlando.
- Zerbino
Son of the king of Scotland, secretly married to Isabella, captured by Count Anselm's men, rescued by Orlando and reunited with Isabella.
Key passages
“She gave him at parting a wonderful book, which taught the secret of overcoming all manners of enchantments, and begged him to carry it always with him, out of regard for her.”
Logestilla gave Astolpho a magical book that revealed how to break any enchantment, urging him to keep it always.
Highlights the importance of the book as a tool against magic.
“No sooner had he blown a blast than, at the horrid larum, fled the cavaliers and the necromancer with them, like a flock of pigeons at the sound of the fowler’s gun.”
As soon as Astolpho blew his horn, the knights and the magician fled in panic, like pigeons startled by a hunter's gun.
Demonstrates the horn's power to dispel enchantments and foes.
“If he would obtain her in marriage, she said, he must in due form demand her of her father, Duke Aymon, and must abandon his false prophet, and become a Christian.”
Bradamante told Rogero that to marry her, he must formally ask her father's permission and convert to Christianity.
Sets the condition for Rogero and Bradamante's union.
“My name is Isabella. I am the daughter of the king of Galicia, or rather I should say misfortune and grief are my parents.”
Isabella introduces herself as the king of Galicia's daughter, but says her true parents are misfortune and sorrow.
Reveals Isabella's tragic backstory and current despair.
