Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Orlando explained
This chapter recounts the birth and early life of Orlando, son of the knight Milon and Bertha, sister of Charlemagne.
What happens
This chapter recounts the birth and early life of Orlando, son of the knight Milon and Bertha, sister of Charlemagne. Born in a cave in Sutri after his parents' exile, Orlando grows up among peasants, befriends Oliver, and later impresses Charlemagne by stealing food from the royal table. He is pardoned, taken into favor, and becomes a great champion of Christianity.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Orlando's rise from poverty and obscurity to become a knight and champion of Christianity exemplifies the heroic journey.
Hospitality and Its Violation
Orlando's seizure of food from Charlemagne's table violates hospitality, but leads to his recognition and redemption.
Characters to notice
- Orlando
Born in a cave in Sutri to exiled parents; grows up among peasants, surpasses them in strength, and later becomes Charlemagne's greatest knight.
- Charlemagne
Emperor, uncle of Orlando; dines in Sutri, notices Orlando's boldness, and takes him into favor after learning his identity.
- Oliver
Son of the governor of Sutri; initially fights Orlando but becomes his lifelong friend.
Key passages
“Orlando Milon, or Milone, a knight of great family, and distantly related to Charlemagne, having secretly married Bertha, the Emperor’s sister, was banished from France, and excommunicated by the Pope.”
Orlando's father, Milon, a knight related to Charlemagne, married Bertha in secret and was exiled from France and excommunicated.
Establishes the family background and the reason for Orlando's humble birth.
“Orlando was so poor that he was sometimes half naked. As he was a favorite of the boys, one day four of them brought some cloth to make him clothes. Two brought white and two red; and from this circumstance Orlando took his coat-of-arms, or quarterings.”
Orlando's poverty left him often half-clothed, but four boys gave him cloth—two white and two red—which became the basis for his heraldic coat of arms.
Explains the origin of Orlando's heraldic symbol.
“Orlando and his mother that day had nothing to eat, and Orlando coming suddenly upon the royal party, and seeing abundance of provisions, seized from the attendants as much as he could carry off, and made good his retreat in spite of their resistance.”
Hungry and desperate, Orlando stole food from Charlemagne's dining party and escaped despite the attendants' efforts to stop him.
Key event that leads to Orlando's discovery by Charlemagne.