Orlando Furioso · Chapter
Canto II explained
Bradamant, seeking to free Rogero from Atlantes' enchanted castle, is guided by the treacherous Pinabel, who plots to abandon her.
What happens
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 encounters a grieving knight who recounts the abduction of his lady by a winged rider to a steel castle, and learns that Rogero and Gradasso have gone to challenge the sorcerer.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Chivalry
Bradamant's devotion to Rogero drives her to risk imprisonment; the grieving knight's lament for his lost lady exemplifies chivalric love.
Betrayal and Deception
Pinabel's treacherous intent to abandon Bradamant highlights the theme of betrayal.
Magic and the Supernatural
The winged rider and the steel castle built by sorcery introduce supernatural elements.
Characters to notice
- Bradamant
Seeks to free Rogero from the enchanted castle; guided by Pinabel; receives a plea from Marseilles but prioritizes Rogero.
- Pinabel
Treacherous guide who plots to abandon Bradamant due to the feud between their houses.
- Rogero
Imprisoned in Atlantes' castle; Bradamant's beloved; mentioned as having gone to challenge the winged rider.
- Rinaldo
Dueling Sacripant over Angelica; Angelica flees from him.
- Angelica
Flees from Rinaldo during the duel; object of both Rinaldo's and Sacripant's desire.
- Sacripant
Dueling Rinaldo over Angelica and Bayardo.
- Gradasso
Mentioned as having gone with Rogero to challenge the winged rider.
Key passages
“The knight replied, "Then nought to me remains But that I yonder mountain-passes show; And sure 'tis little loss to lose my pains, Where every thing is lost I prize below."”
Pinabel tells Bradamant that showing her the way costs him nothing since he has already lost everything he values.
Pinabel's self-pitying response masks his treacherous intent.
“He, when he saw himself within the brake, Thought to abandon his unweeting foe;”
Pinabel, seeing himself in the thicket, planned to leave Bradamant unaware of his desertion.
Pinabel's deceitful plan to abandon Bradamant in the woods.
“The robber, whether he were man or shade, Or goblin damned to everlasting woe, As soon as he beheld my dear-loved maid, Like falcon, who, descending, aims its blow, Sank in a thought and rose; and soaring, laid Hands on his prize, and snatched her from below.”
The grieving knight describes how a winged rider, whether human or demon, swooped down and abducted his lady.
The supernatural abduction sets up the enchanted castle plot.