# Canto VII explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

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 form using a magic ring. Advised by Melissa, Rogero feigns normalcy, reclaims his armor and sword Balisarda, and escapes on the steed Rabicano toward Logistilla's realm. Meanwhile, Bradamant seeks news of Rogero and is comforted by Melissa, who promises to rescue him from Alcina's enchantments.

## Themes in this chapter

### Magic and the Supernatural

Central to the chapter: Alcina's enchantments, Melissa's counter-magic, the ring's power to reveal truth, and the hippogryph.

### Betrayal and Deception

Alcina's false beauty deceives Rogero; Melissa's guidance helps him see through the illusion.

### Love and Chivalry

Rogero's initial enchantment by Alcina contrasts with his true love for Bradamant, motivating his escape.

## Character check-ins

### Rogero

Overthrows Eriphila, enters Alcina's palace, is enchanted by her beauty, then sees her true form via Melissa's ring and escapes.

### Alcina

The beautiful fay who welcomes Rogero, but is revealed by the ring to be a hideous old hag.

### Melissa

The sage enchantress who advises Rogero, gives him the ring to break Alcina's spell, and later comforts Bradamant.

### Bradamant

Seeks Rogero, despairs upon learning he is with Alcina, but is comforted by Melissa who promises to rescue him.

### Atlantes

Mentioned as the enchanter who sent Rogero to Alcina's isle to keep him safe from fame and war.

### Logistilla

The prudent fay whose realm Rogero escapes toward.

## Key lines

> The traveller, he, whom sea or mountain sunder From his own country, sees things strange and new; That the misjudging vulgar, which lies under The mist of ignorance, esteems untrue

A traveler far from home witnesses marvels that ignorant people dismiss as false.

_Ariosto defends the wondrous events in his poem against skeptical readers._

> Her shape is of such perfect symmetry, As best to feign the industrious painter knows

Alcina's form is so perfectly beautiful that it seems painted by a master artist.

_Describes Alcina's illusory beauty before the ring reveals her true ugliness._

> She, not like old Atlantes, rendered blind By the great love she to the stripling bore, Set not on gifting him with life her mind

Melissa, unlike Atlantes, does not seek merely to preserve Rogero's life but to guide him to virtue.

_Contrasts Melissa's wise guidance with Atlantes' protective but misguided enchantment._

## Links

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