Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Orlando Mad explained
Orlando, driven mad by the discovery of Angelica's marriage to Medoro, abandons his armor and wreaks havoc across the countryside, tearing up trees and attacking shepherds and animals.
What happens
Orlando, driven mad by the discovery of Angelica's marriage to Medoro, abandons his armor and wreaks havoc across the countryside, tearing up trees and attacking shepherds and animals. Meanwhile, Zerbino and Isabella find Orlando's discarded arms and hang them as a trophy, only for Mandricardo to seize Durindana and defeat Zerbino in combat.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
Orlando's love for Angelica transforms into destructive madness after he learns of her marriage to Medoro.
Jealousy and Revenge
Orlando's jealousy over Angelica's choice drives him to rage and violence, defacing the grotto and attacking all in his path.
Heroism and the Quest
Mandricardo's quest for Durindana and his confrontation with Zerbino and Orlando highlight the heroic code of combat and honor.
Characters to notice
- Orlando
Goes mad upon learning of Angelica's marriage to Medoro, destroys the grotto and fountain, and rampages through the forest.
- Zerbino
Finds Orlando's scattered arms, hangs them as a trophy, and is later defeated by Mandricardo.
- Isabella
Aids Zerbino in collecting Orlando's arms and witnesses the subsequent battle.
- Mandricardo
Seizes Durindana from the trophy, fights and defeats Zerbino, and claims the sword.
- Angelica
Her marriage to Medoro is the cause of Orlando's madness; she is mentioned as having given a bracelet to the shepherd.
- Medoro
Mentioned as Angelica's husband; his name is inscribed in the grotto.
Key passages
“His fists, his teeth, his nails, his feet, seize, break, and tear cattle, sheep, and swine; the most swift in flight alone being able to escape him.”
Orlando uses every part of his body to attack and destroy livestock, with only the fastest animals managing to flee.
Describes Orlando's bestial rampage after losing his sanity.
“Zerbino, with his eyes full of tears, carefully collected all the scattered arms. Isabella also dismounted to aid him in the sad duty.”
Zerbino wept as he gathered Orlando's discarded armor, and Isabella helped him in this mournful task.
Shows the sorrow of Zerbino and Isabella upon finding Orlando's arms.
“Mandricardo, more enraged than Orlando, made violent efforts to unseat the paladin, and dropped the rein of his horse. Orlando, more calm, perceived it.”
Mandricardo, angrier than Orlando, tried desperately to throw him from his horse and let go of the reins, but Orlando remained composed and noticed.
Highlights the contrast in temperament during their duel.