Canto XIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Chivalry

  Isabella's devotion to Zerbino and Bradamant's quest for Rogero exemplify the chivalric ideal of love driving heroic action.

• Magic and the Supernatural

  Atlantes' enchanted palace and Melissa's prophetic powers highlight the pervasive influence of magic in the narrative.

• Betrayal and Deception

  Atlantes uses illusions to deceive knights, trapping them in his palace, while Isabella's trust in Odoric is betrayed.

Characters to notice

• Orlando

  Hears Isabella's tale of woe and later punishes her captors.

• Isabella

  Recounts her love for Zerbino and her imprisonment to Orlando.

• Zerbino

  Isabella's beloved, the Scottish prince who planned to elope with her.

• Bradamant

  Guided by Melissa, she seeks to free Rogero from Atlantes' magic.

• Rogero

  Imprisoned by Atlantes; Bradamant aims to rescue him.

• Melissa

  The sage enchantress who guides Bradamant and reveals prophecies about her lineage.

• Atlantes

  The wizard who traps knights in his enchanted palace using illusions.

• Agramant

  Ranks his army for review.

Key passages

• “Above I told you how a gentle maid Orlando had discovered under ground, And asked, 'by whom she thither was conveyed?'”

  Earlier, I recounted how Orlando found a young woman in a cave and inquired about her captor.

  Recap of Isabella's discovery by Orlando.

• “Lo! I am Isabel, who once was styled The daughter of Gallicia's hapless king: I said aright who was ; but now the child (No longer his ) of care and suffering: The fault of Love, by whom I was beguiled;”

  I am Isabella, once the princess of Gallicia, but now I am a prisoner of sorrow, all because of love's deception.

  Isabella introduces herself and blames love for her plight.

• “Fear not for thy Rogero; he is well And safe (she cried), and ever worships thee, As wonted; but thy foe, that wizard fell, Him yet again deprives of liberty.”

  Melissa reassures Bradamant that Rogero is safe and still loves her, but the evil wizard Atlantes has imprisoned him again.

  Melissa's message to Bradamant about Rogero's captivity.

• “Hard will it seem to slay, full well I know, The wight, in whom Rogero you descry: But, for truth is not in the lying show, Trust not to sight where magic blears the eye.”

  I know it will be difficult for you to kill someone who looks like Rogero, but do not trust your eyes, for magic deceives them.

  Melissa warns Bradamant not to be fooled by Atlantes' illusions.