# Canto XVI explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

Gryphon pursues the faithless Origille to Damascus, where he encounters her with her new lover Martano. Meanwhile, the battle outside Paris intensifies: Ferraù rallies the Saracens, Agramant leads a massive assault, and Rinaldo rescues Zerbino. Inside Paris, Rodomont wreaks havoc with fire and sword, forcing Charlemagne to respond.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Chivalry

Gryphon's blind devotion to the faithless Origille contrasts with the ideal of worthy love, as the narrator laments those who love unworthily.

### War and Conflict

The brutal battle outside Paris, with thousands slain, and Rodomont's destruction inside the city highlight the chaos and violence of war.

### Betrayal and Deception

Origille's cunning deception of Gryphon, feigning joy and weeping, exemplifies the theme of betrayal and false appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Gryphon

Pursues Origille to Damascus, blinded by love despite knowing her treachery.

### Origille

Faithless lover encountered near Damascus with Martano; feigns joy and weeps to deceive Gryphon.

### Martano

Vile lover of Origille, matched in evil customs, heading to a tournament in Damascus.

### Rinaldo

Rescues Zerbino from the Saracen onslaught, kills Prusion, Agricalt, Bambirago, and wounds Soridane and Serpentine.

### Zerbino

Left alone and afoot amid the Africans; saved by Rinaldo's timely intervention.

### Agramant

Leads a massive assault, sends the king of Fez to flank the Irish, and is struck down by Rinaldo.

### Ferraù

Rallies the Saracen host after Olympio de la Serra is slain, avenging him with a mighty blow.

### Rodomont

Inside Paris, slays the people and burns houses and temples, causing panic.

### Charlemagne

Receives the British band, then learns of Rodomont's destruction and rushes to confront him.

## Key lines

> The youthful Gryphon finds him in this case, Who sees the error which he cannot right; He sees how vilely he his heart does place On faithless Origille, his vain delight: Yet evil use doth sovereign reason chase, And free-will is subdued by appetite.

Gryphon recognizes his mistake in loving the treacherous Origille, but his bad habits overpower his reason, and his desires conquer his free will.

_Illustrates the internal conflict between reason and passion._

> He plants his courser, where their squadrons yield To the fierce paynims, and exclaims: 'Where go Your bands, and why so basely quit the field, Yielding so vilely to so vile a foe?'

Rinaldo positions his horse where the Scottish troops are retreating from the Saracens and rebukes them for cowardice.

_Rinaldo's rallying cry to the Scots._

> Satan (in sooth, it can no other be) Destroys and ruins the unhappy town. Turn, and the curling wreaths of vapour see, From the red flames which wander up and down; List to those groans, and be they warrantry Of the sad news thy servant now makes known!

A squire tells Charlemagne that a demon, surely Satan, is destroying the city, pointing to the smoke and flames and groans as proof.

_The squire's hyperbolic report of Rodomont's rampage._

## Links

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