# Canto XXII explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

Astolpho destroys Atlantes' magic towers and frees the prisoners. Bradamant finds Rogero, and together they encounter a weeping woman who tells them of a youth condemned to be burned for love. They set out to rescue him but must first pass a castle where Pinnabel has imposed a shameful law. Bradamant recognizes Pinnabel as the traitor who once threw her into a tomb and pursues him through the forest. Meanwhile, Rogero faces three knights from the castle in single combat, using the enchanted shield as a last resort.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Pinnabel's treachery against Bradamant is revealed; the weeping woman's story involves a youth who deceived the king by disguising himself to visit his lover.

### Love and Chivalry

Rogero and Bradamant's love leads to his baptism and marriage; the condemned youth's love for the king's daughter drives the plot; knights are moved by pity to rescue the innocent.

### Honor and Reputation

The knights from the castle are shamed by being forced to fight together against one; they insist on single combat to preserve their honor.

## Character check-ins

### Astolpho

Destroys Atlantes' magic towers and frees the prisoners; travels from the Levant through Europe to France, then to England and back; loses his horse Rabican to a thief.

### Bradamant

Finds Rogero and accompanies him; hears the weeping woman's tale and resolves to save the condemned youth; recognizes Pinnabel as the traitor who threw her into a tomb and pursues him.

### Rogero

Agrees to be baptised and marry Bradamant; moved by the weeping woman's story, vows to save the youth; fights three knights from Pinnabel's castle, using the enchanted shield.

### Pinabel

The faithless Count of Poictiers who imposed a shameful law at his castle; recognized by Bradamant as the one who threw her into Merlin's tomb; flees from her vengeance.

### Sansonet

First knight to joust from Pinnabel's castle; unhorsed by Rogero.

### Guido

One of the three knights who come from the castle to fight Rogero; insists on single combat.

## Key lines

> Astolpho wight Destroys, and frees his thralls from prison-cell.

Astolpho destroys the magic towers and liberates the captives.

_Opening summary of Astolpho's action._

> Bradamant finds Rogero, who in fight O'erthrows four barons from the warlike sell

Bradamant meets Rogero, who defeats four barons in combat.

_Summary of Bradamant and Rogero's reunion and Rogero's prowess._

> Loving a gentle lady and a gay, The daughter of Marsilius, king of Spain, And feigning, veiled in feminine array, The modest roll of eye and girlish strain, With her each night the amorous stripling lay

A young man, in love with the king of Spain's daughter, disguised himself as a woman to visit her nightly.

_The weeping woman's account of the condemned youth's deception._

> The faithless Maganzese, with whom she wended, Cast into Merlin's tomb the martial may

The treacherous Pinnabel threw Bradamant into Merlin's tomb.

_Recollection of Pinnabel's earlier betrayal of Bradamant._

## Links

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