# Roland and Ferragus explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

Orlando (Roland) battles the giant Ferragus, whose skin is invulnerable to swords. After a truce, Orlando shows chivalry by providing a pillow for the sleeping giant. Ferragus, grateful, reveals his only vulnerable spot, which Orlando later exploits to kill him. Orlando also wins the sword Durindana from a Saracen warrior, a weapon once owned by Hector of Troy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Orlando's victory over Ferragus exemplifies heroic combat and the quest for glory.

### Hospitality and Its Violation

The truce and Orlando's act of providing a pillow highlight the code of hospitality, which is respected even in war.

## Character check-ins

### Orlando

The Christian paladin who defeats the giant Ferragus through cleverness and chivalry.

### Ferragus

A giant with invulnerable skin who is killed after revealing his weak spot.

### Charlemagne

Emperor of the Christian camp, who rejoices in Orlando's victory.

### Hector

The Trojan prince whose sword Durindana is won by Orlando.

## Key lines

> Ferragus was a giant, and moreover his skin was of such impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any impression upon it.

Ferragus was a giant whose skin could not be cut by any sword.

_Describes the giant's invulnerability._

> After long fighting Ferragus was so weary that he proposed a truce, and when it was agreed upon he lay down and immediately fell asleep.

Exhausted from battle, Ferragus suggested a truce and quickly fell asleep.

_Highlights the temporary halt in combat._

> But Ferragus lay so uncomfortably for the want of a pillow that Orlando took pity upon him, and brought a smooth stone and placed it under his head.

Seeing Ferragus uncomfortable without a pillow, Orlando kindly put a smooth stone under his head.

_Shows Orlando's chivalrous nature._

> Among other things he told Orlando that he need not attempt to kill him with a sword, for that every part of his body was invulnerable, except this; and as he spoke, he put his hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his breast.

Ferragus revealed that only one spot on his chest was vulnerable to a sword.

_The giant discloses his weakness._

> This famous weapon had once belonged to the illustrious prince Hector of Troy.

The sword Durindana was previously owned by the Trojan prince Hector.

_Connects the sword to classical legend._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/roland-and-ferragus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters