# Canto XX explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

Astolpho uses his horn to chase Guido and his followers from a foul haunt, sets fire to the town, and roams the world. Marphisa, angered over Gabrina, confronts Zerbino and forces him to become Gabrina's guardian, from whom Zerbino learns news of Isabella. The canto also includes a lengthy digression on the achievements of women, and Guido the Savage recounts the story of the matriarchal society founded by Orontea and the trials imposed on male arrivals.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender and Power

The canto explores a matriarchal society where women hold power and men are subjected to trials, challenging traditional gender roles.

### War and Conflict

Astolpho's violent actions with his horn and the martial confrontations between Marphisa and Zerbino highlight ongoing conflict.

### Betrayal and Deception

The story of the Greek women betraying their husbands and the subsequent abandonment of the Cretan women by Phalantus and his men underscores themes of betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Astolpho

Chases Guido and his followers with his horn, sets fire to the town, and roams the world.

### Marphisa

In ire over Gabrina's cause, puts scathe and scorn upon Zerbino and makes him guardian of Gabrina.

### Zerbino

Suffers Marphisa's wrath and is forced to become guardian of Gabrina, from whom he learns news of Isabella.

### Gabrina

The cause of Marphisa's ire; Zerbino is made her guardian and learns news of Isabella from her.

### Guido

Guido the Savage, who recounts his lineage and the story of the matriarchal society.

### Orontea

A descendant of Minos who proposes the trial system for male arrivals in the matriarchal city.

## Key lines

> Guido and his from that foul haunt retire, While all Astolpho chases with his horn, Who to all quarters of the town sets fire, Then roving singly round the world is borne.

Guido and his companions flee the foul place as Astolpho pursues them with his horn, sets the entire town ablaze, and then wanders alone across the world.

_Describes Astolpho's actions after the confrontation._

> Marphisa, for Gabrina’s cause, in ire Puts upon young Zerbino scathe and scorn, And makes him guardian of Gabrina fell, From whom he first learns news of Isabel.

Marphisa, angry over Gabrina, insults and harms young Zerbino, forcing him to become the guardian of the wicked Gabrina, from whom he first hears news of Isabella.

_Highlights Marphisa's wrath and Zerbino's new role._

> Women have reached the pinnacle of glory, In every art by them professed, well seen; And whosoever turns the leaf of story, Finds record of them, neither dim nor mean.

Women have achieved the highest glory in every art they have practiced, and anyone who reads history will find their accomplishments recorded clearly and significantly.

_A general praise of women's achievements throughout history._

## Links

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