# Orlando Furioso — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

- [To Sir Walter Scott, of Abbotsford, Bart.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/to-sir-walter-scott-of-abbotsford-bart.md): The poet dedicates the work to Sir Walter Scott, crediting him with encouraging the resumption of the poem after it had been abandoned. He compares his labor to that of a peasant tilling a field, finding sweetness in the
- [Orlando Furioso](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/orlando-furioso.md): The chapter introduces the epic tale of Orlando, a knight of Charlemagne, and the complex web of love, war, and magic that drives the narrative. It sets the stage for the conflicts between Christian and Saracen forces, t
- [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-i.md): Angelica flees through the forest to escape danger. Rinaldo loses his horse Bayardo and fights Ferraù. Ferraù breaks an oath but later swears a new one. King Sacripant encounters Angelica and laments his unrequited love.
- [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ii.md): Bradamant, seeking to free Rogero from Atlantes' enchanted castle, is guided by the treacherous Pinabel, who plots to abandon her. Meanwhile, Rinaldo and Sacripant duel over Angelica, who flees from Rinaldo. Bradamant en
- [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iii.md): Bradamant, restored to sense in Merlin's cave, meets the sage Melissa who reveals the prophecy of her illustrious lineage and instructs her on how to rescue Rogero from Atlantes' enchanted castle. Melissa explains that B
- [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iv.md): Bradamant, using the magical ring, deceives Brunello and confronts the enchanter Atlantes, freeing Rogero and other captives from his castle. Rogero mounts the hippogryph and flies away. Meanwhile, Rinaldo arrives in Sco
- [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-v.md): Dalinda recounts to Rinaldo how she was deceived by Polinesso, who feigned love for her while secretly pursuing Geneura. Polinesso used Dalinda to gain access to Geneura's chambers and then plotted to ruin Geneura's repu
- [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vi.md): Rogero arrives in Alcina's realm, where he learns from a myrtle (the transformed Astolpho) of the fairy's treacherous nature. Meanwhile, the story of Ariodantes and Geneura concludes with Ariodantes revealing himself, de
- [Canto VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vii.md): Rogero, guided by two damsels, overthrows the giantess Eriphila and proceeds to Alcina's palace. There he is welcomed by the beautiful fay Alcina and her court, but Melissa the enchantress reveals Alcina's true hideous f
- [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-viii.md): Rogero escapes Alcina's realm using Atlantes' magic shield, while Melissa restores Astolpho and others to their true forms. Rinaldo gathers forces to aid Charlemagne against the Moorish siege. Angelica, found asleep by p
- [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ix.md): Orlando, disguised in Arab weeds, searches the Moorish camp for Angelica but cannot find her. He then encounters a damsel (Olympia) who tells him her tragic story: her father and brothers were killed by King Cymosco of F
- [Canto X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-x.md): Bireno's fickle heart betrays Olympia, abandoning her on a deserted island for a younger woman. Meanwhile, Rogero, having escaped Alcina's enchantments, arrives at Logistilla's virtuous realm, where he is reunited with A
- [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xi.md): Angelica uses her magic ring to vanish from Rogero's grasp, escaping into a cave. Rogero, distraught, loses both the ring and his griffin-horse. He then witnesses a giant attacking a knight, who is revealed to be Bradama
- [Canto XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xii.md): Orlando, in a fury, pursues a knight who has taken his lady-love, only to find himself trapped in the enchanted palace of Atlantes, where many other knights are also imprisoned. He later encounters a maiden in a cave, an
- [Canto XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xiii.md): Orlando hears the story of Isabella, who recounts her love for Zerbino and her imprisonment. Bradamant, guided by Melissa, seeks to free Rogero from Atlantes' enchanted palace, where she must resist the wizard's illusion
- [Canto XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xiv.md): King Agramant and Marsilius muster their troops, discovering that two squadrons have been slain by Orlando. Mandricardo, envious of Orlando's feats, sets out to find the black-clad knight. Meanwhile, Rinaldo, guided by a
- [Canto XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xv.md): Astolpho, aided by the fairy Logistilla, departs from her realm with a magical book and horn. He sails eastward, learning from Andronica about future voyages and the destined unification of the world under Emperor Charle
- [Canto XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xvi.md): Gryphon pursues the faithless Origille to Damascus, where he encounters her with her new lover Martano. Meanwhile, the battle outside Paris intensifies: Ferraù rallies the Saracens, Agramant leads a massive assault, and 
- [Canto XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xvii.md): King Charles confronts Rodomont's rampage in Paris, while Gryphon is deceived by Martano and Origille in Damascus, leading to his public humiliation in a tournament.
- [Canto XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xviii.md): Gryphon exacts vengeance on the townspeople who wronged him, while King Charles fights Rodomont. Marphisa overthrows Norandino's men, and Martano's cowardice is punished. Medoro and Cloridano venture into the Christian c
- [Canto XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xix.md): Angelica heals Medoro and marries him, then they depart for Catay. Marphisa and her companions endure a storm at sea and encounter Guido the Savage.
- [Canto XX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xx.md): Astolpho uses his horn to chase Guido and his followers from a foul haunt, sets fire to the town, and roams the world. Marphisa, angered over Gabrina, confronts Zerbino and forces him to become Gabrina's guardian, from w
- [Canto XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxi.md): The knight recounts the tragic story of his brother Philander, who was falsely accused by the treacherous Gabrina, leading to the accidental murder of his friend Argaeus and his subsequent imprisonment.
- [Canto XXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxii.md): Astolpho destroys Atlantes' magic towers and frees the prisoners. Bradamant finds Rogero, and together they encounter a weeping woman who tells them of a youth condemned to be burned for love. They set out to rescue him 
- [Canto XXIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxiii.md): Bradamant slays the treacherous Pinnabel and then wanders lost in the woods, lamenting her separation from Rogero. Rodomont seizes Frontino from Hippalca and challenges Rogero. Zerbino discovers Pinnabel's body and is la
- [Canto XXIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxiv.md): Zerbino confronts Odoric for his treachery against Isabella, but is interrupted by Gabrina's arrival. Mandricardo claims Durindana, which Orlando had cast aside in his madness. Zerbino challenges Mandricardo for the swor
- [Canto XXV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxv.md): Rogero rescues Richardetto from execution, learns of Flordespina's unrequited love for Bradamant (disguised as a man), and struggles between his duty to King Agramant and his love for Bradamant. He writes a letter to Bra
- [Canto XXVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvi.md): Marphisa joins Rogero, Richardet, and Aldigier to rescue prisoners from the Maganzese. Rogero learns that Rodomont has taken his horse Frontino and sets off to recover it. Meanwhile, Mandricardo and Rodomont, having susp
- [Canto XXVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvii.md): After Rogero and the three paynim kings defeat Charlemagne, the Christian army retreats to Paris. Discord erupts among the Saracen leaders, leading to a quarrel between Rodomont and Sacripant over the horse Frontino. Agr
- [Canto XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxviii.md): King Rodomont listens to the landlord's misogynistic tale of King Astolpho and Jocundo, who test women's fidelity and find them all faithless. An elder in the audience defends women, arguing that men are equally unfaithf
- [Canto XXIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxix.md): Isabella, to preserve her chastity from the pagan king Rodomont, tricks him into believing she can make him invulnerable with a magical bath. She anoints herself and bids him strike her neck with his sword; he does so, b
- [Canto XXX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxx.md): Orlando, in his madness, continues his rampage across Spain, killing a shepherd and stealing his horse, then plunging into the sea after a boat. Meanwhile, Rogero slays King Mandricardo in a duel over the eagle emblem, a
- [Canto XXXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxi.md): Rinaldo and Dudon unite against Agramant's forces, scattering them. Brandimart fights Rodomont for Orlando's sake but is captured. Rinaldo contends with Gradasso for Bayardo. The chapter also reflects on jealousy and lov
- [Canto XXXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxii.md): Bradamant, despairing over Rogero's delay, hears rumors that he is romantically involved with Marphisa. Consumed by jealousy and grief, she resolves to confront Marphisa and possibly die in battle. She dons a mourning su
- [Canto XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxiii.md): Bradamant views prophetic paintings in Merlin's hall, foretelling future wars and the fate of French kings in Italy. The chapter also depicts her restless night and dream of Rogero, the shaming of knights by a woman's sp
- [Canto XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxiv.md): Astolpho descends into the infernal pit, where he encounters the spirit of Lydia, who recounts her story of pride and ingratitude toward the Thracian knight Alcestes, leading to her eternal punishment in smoke. Afterward
- [Canto XXXV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxv.md): Astolpho, guided by the apostle John, observes the threads of future lives in the palace of the Fates, with special attention to a radiant fleece foretelling the birth of Hippolytus of Este. Meanwhile, Bradamant, still g
- [Canto XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvi.md): Bradamant and Marphisa engage in fierce combat, but Rogero intervenes. The two women fight with fury until a voice from a marble monument reveals that Rogero and Marphisa are brother and sister, children of Galaciëlla an
- [Canto XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvii.md): Rogero and the two damsels encounter Ulania mourning after her mantle was shorn by Marganor. Marphisa takes fierce revenge on Marganor, and Ulania slays him. The canto also includes a lengthy defense of women's honor, re
- [Canto XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxviii.md): Marphisa arrives in Arles to be baptized, guided by Bradamant. Astolpho descends from heaven and supplies the Nubian king with sight, then harries Agramant's land. Agramant, persuaded by Sobrino, agrees to settle the war
- [Canto XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxix.md): Agramant breaks the pact and is overthrown, forcing him to flee France for Africa. Meanwhile, Astolpho besieges Biserta with a Nubian host, and Orlando is discovered as a mad wild man. Through Astolpho's intervention, Or
- [Canto XL](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xl.md): Agramant flees the burning Biserta as the Christian fleet, led by Sansonetto, attacks. Orlando, Olivier, and Brandimart lead the assault on the city. Brandimart climbs a ladder but it breaks; he alone holds the wall. Mea
- [Canto XLI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xli.md): Dudon consigns prisoners to the Child, who is wrecked at sea but escapes by swimming and becomes a faithful Christian. Meanwhile, Brandimart, Olivier, and Orlando charge the hostile three; Sobrino is wounded, and Gradass
- [Canto XLII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlii.md): Orlando avenges Brandimart's death by slaying Agramant and Gradasso. Rinaldo, still tormented by love for Angelica, seeks Malagigi's aid. Bradamant laments Rogero's broken oath. Rinaldo is hosted by a mysterious cavalier
- [Canto XLIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliii.md): Rinaldo hears from his host the tale of a jealous husband who, persuaded by the enchantress Melissa, tests his wife's fidelity with a magical cup, only to lose her to avarice. Rinaldo then continues his journey by boat t
- [Canto XLIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliv.md): Rinaldo pledges his sister to Rogero, and they journey to Marseilles. After a fierce battle, King Otho's son arrives. They proceed to Paris, where great honor is bestowed upon the company. Rogero departs, intent on killi
- [Canto XLV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlv.md): Rogero, disguised as Leo, faces Bradamant in combat to fulfill his promise to Leo. He fights without his enchanted lance or Frontino to avoid recognition. After the battle, Charlemagne awards Bradamant to Leo. Rogero, de
- [Canto XLVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlvi.md): Leo discovers Rogero near death from grief over Bradamant, and in a display of supreme courtesy, yields his claim to her. Rogero is revived and reconciled, and the two return to Charlemagne's court. The canto also includ
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide commentary on various elements of Orlando Furioso, including mythological and medieval fountains, the character of Rinaldo, the genealogy of the Este family, historical and literary parallels, and ex

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