# Canto IV explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

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 Scotland and learns of Princess Geneura's plight under a harsh law, vowing to defend her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Magic and the Supernatural

Atlantes' enchanted castle, the hippogryph, and the magical ring are central to the chapter's events.

### Gender and Power

Rinaldo critiques the unjust Scottish law that punishes women for adultery while men go free, highlighting gender inequality.

### Betrayal and Deception

Bradamant feigns trust in Brunello while using the ring to deceive him; Atlantes' deceptive magic is also featured.

## Character check-ins

### Bradamant

Uses the ring to deceive Brunello, confronts Atlantes, and frees Rogero and other captives.

### Rogero

Freed from Atlantes' castle by Bradamant, then mounts the hippogryph and flies away.

### Atlantes

The enchanter whose castle is destroyed; he attempts to keep Rogero confined but is foiled by Bradamant.

### Rinaldo

Disembarks in Scotland, learns of Geneura's situation, and vows to champion her cause against the unjust law.

### Brunello

The dwarfish Moor who serves as Bradamant's guide, though she distrusts him.

### Geneura

The Scottish princess condemned to death under a harsh law; Rinaldo decides to defend her.

## Key lines

> The old Atlantes suffers fatal wreck, Foiled by the ring, and young Rogero freed, Who soars in air till he appears a speck, Mounted upon the wizard’s winged steed.

Atlantes is defeated by the magical ring, Rogero is liberated, and he flies away on the hippogryph until he is just a dot in the sky.

_Summarizes the key magical events of the chapter._

> Cursed be the law by which the dame is tried! Cursed he who would permit a doom so dire!

Rinaldo condemns the harsh Scottish law that condemns women to death for adultery, calling it cursed.

_Highlights Rinaldo's critique of gender-based injustice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters