Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Zerbino and Isabella explained
Isabella mourns Zerbino's death and vows fidelity.
What happens
Isabella mourns Zerbino's death and vows fidelity. A hermit consoles her, but they encounter Rodomont, who kills the hermit and forces Isabella to his ruined chapel. To preserve her vow, Isabella tricks Rodomont into beheading her. Rodomont, remorseful, builds a bridge and tower in their honor, challenging all who cross. Orlando, in his madness, fights Rodomont and both fall into the river. Later, Florismart and others are defeated at the bridge until Bradamante, using Astolpho's golden lance, overthrows Rodomont and frees the prisoners. Meanwhile, Rogero and Marphisa discover their kinship and plan to embrace Christianity.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
Isabella's devotion to Zerbino leads her to sacrifice her life rather than break her vow, transforming her grief into a martyr-like act.
Jealousy and Revenge
Rodomont's actions are driven by indignation from Doralice's treatment; his bridge challenge becomes a vengeful tribute to Isabella.
Mortality and Immortality
The deaths of Zerbino and Isabella are memorialized by Rodomont's tower and bridge, granting them a form of lasting fame.
Characters to notice
- Zerbino
Dies from wounds after the Tartar prince takes his sword; his last words implore Isabella to live and be faithful.
- Isabella
Grieves Zerbino's death, vows fidelity, is captured by Rodomont, and tricks him into beheading her to preserve her vow.
- Rodomont
King of Algiers; kills the hermit, forces Isabella to his chapel, beheads her in a trick, then builds a bridge and tower in her honor, challenging all comers.
- Orlando
In his mad fury, approaches Rodomont's bridge, fights and falls with Rodomont into the river, then swims away.
- Flordelis
Seeks Florismart; recognizes Orlando at the bridge, later finds Florismart in Paris and guides him back to find Orlando.
- Florismart
Lover of Flordelis; after Albracca's fall, goes to Paris, then returns to the bridge where he is defeated by Rodomont and imprisoned.
- Bradamante
Rides with Astolpho's golden lance, defeats Rodomont at the bridge, frees prisoners, and learns of Rogero's situation.
- Rogero
Discovers his kinship with Marphisa; learns of his parentage from Atlantes and plans to leave Agramant and embrace Christianity.
Key passages
“Zerbino said, 'If I could but leave thee, my best beloved, in some secure abode, it would not distress me to die; but to abandon thee so, without protection, is sad indeed.'”
Zerbino tells Isabella that he could face death peacefully if only he knew she was safe, but leaving her unprotected is his greatest sorrow.
Zerbino's dying concern for Isabella's safety highlights his love and the chivalric duty of protection.
“Isabella, having collected such herbs as she thought proper, and boiled them, with certain mysterious signs and words, at length declared her labor done, and, as a test, offered to try its virtue on herself.”
Isabella gathers herbs, prepares a supposed magical liquor with rituals, and then volunteers to test its protective power on her own body.
Isabella's trick to preserve her vow by feigning a protective potion leads to her martyrdom.
“Rodomont, who during the preparations had taken frequent draughts of wine, and scarce knew what he did, drew his sword at the word, and struck across her neck with all his might, and the fair head leapt sundered from the snowy neck and breast.”
Rodomont, drunk and barely conscious, swings his sword at Isabella's neck as she commands, decapitating her.
The tragic outcome of Isabella's ruse results in her death, fulfilling her vow at the cost of her life.
