Orlando Furioso · Chapter
Canto XLIII explained
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.
What happens
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 toward Ravenna, reflecting on the folly of seeking proof of a spouse's faithfulness.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
The host's wife is seduced by gold, betraying her husband; Melissa's deceptive counsel leads to the tragedy.
Constancy and Fickleness
The host's initial faith in his wife is undermined by jealousy, and her constancy fails when tempted by avarice.
Fate and Free Will
Rinaldo chooses not to drink from the magical cup, exercising free will to avoid knowledge that could bring misery.
Characters to notice
- Rinaldo
Listens to the host's tale of jealousy and lost love, then travels by pinnace toward Ravenna.
- Melissa
The enchantress who gives the host the magical cup and advises him to test his wife's fidelity.
- Orlando
Mentioned as having conquered his foes but in no joyful mood.
- Sobrino
Christened by the Child (Rogero) along with Olivier's healing.
- Olivier
Healed after the battle.
- Malagigi
Prophesied the future glory of Ferrara to Rinaldo.
Key passages
“O execrable avarice! O vile thirst Of sordid gold! it doth not me astound So easily thou seizest soul, immersed In baseness, or with other taint unsound; But that thy chain should bind, amid the worst, And that thy talon should strike down and wound One that for loftiness of mind would be Worthy all praise, if he avoided thee.”
The narrator condemns avarice as a vice that corrupts even the most noble minds, not just the base.
Opening moral reflection on the power of greed.
“Fain would he think awhile, of whom I speak, (As said) ere to his lips the vase he bore; He thought; then thus: 'When finding what we seek Displeases, this 'tis folly to explore, My wife's a woman; every woman's weak. Then let me hold the faith I held before. Faith still has brought, and yet contentment brings. From proof itself what better profit springs?'”
Rinaldo decides not to drink from the enchanted cup, reasoning that seeking proof of his wife's fidelity would only bring unhappiness.
Rinaldo's wise refusal to test his wife's faithfulness.
“If she, thy wife, by avarice was inclined To break her faith and be to thee untrue, Muse not: nor first nor last of womankind, She, worsted, from such cruel war withdrew; And by a meaner bribe yet firmer mind Is even tempted fouler deed to do. Of men, of how many we hear, that sold Their patrons and their friends for sordid gold?”
Rinaldo tells the host that his wife's betrayal through greed is not unique; both men and women can be corrupted by gold.
Rinaldo's philosophical consolation to the grieving host.