Orlando Furioso · Chapter
Canto XXXIX explained
Agramant breaks the pact and is overthrown, forcing him to flee France for Africa.
What happens
Agramant breaks the pact and is overthrown, forcing him to flee France for Africa. Meanwhile, Astolpho besieges Biserta with a Nubian host, and Orlando is discovered as a mad wild man. Through Astolpho's intervention, Orlando is restored to his senses. At sea, Dudon harries Agramant's fleet. Rogero and Rinaldo duel, but the battle is interrupted when Melissa, disguised as Rodomont, tricks Agramant into breaking the truce, leading to a general melee. Bradamant and Marphisa join the fray. Flordelice and Bardino arrive to inform Brandimart of his father's death and his inheritance.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Melissa's disguise as Rodomont tricks Agramant into breaking the truce, leading to chaos.
War and Conflict
The battle between Christian and Saracen forces escalates after the truce is broken, with widespread slaughter.
Magic and the Supernatural
Melissa uses enchantment to transform her appearance and create phantom horses, influencing the battle.
Love and Chivalry
Rogero's internal conflict between love for Bradamant and his duty in the duel with Rinaldo.
Characters to notice
- Agramant
Breaks the pact and is overthrown, forced to flee France for Africa.
- Astolpho
Leads the siege of Biserta and orchestrates the restoration of Orlando's wits.
- Orlando
Found as a mad wild man wielding a club; restored to his senses by Astolpho.
- Rogero
Engages in a duel with Rinaldo, torn between love for Bradamant and loyalty.
- Rinaldo
Duels with Rogero, unaware of the emotional stakes for Bradamant.
- Bradamant
Joins the battle after the truce is broken, pursuing Agramant and seeking Rogero.
- Marphisa
Fights alongside Bradamant, seeking vengeance for her father's death.
- Brandimart
Reunited with Flordelice and learns of his father's death and inheritance.
Key passages
“Than that fell woe which on Rogero weighs, Harder and bitterer pain forsooth is none, Which upon flesh and more on spirit preys: For of two deaths there is no scaping one. Him, if in strife o'erlaid, Rinaldo slays, Bradamant, if Rinaldo is outdone: For if he killed her brother, well he knew Her hate, than death more hateful, would ensue.”
Rogero faces an unbearable dilemma: if he defeats Rinaldo, he will earn Bradamant's hatred for killing her brother; if he loses, he dies. Either outcome is worse than death.
Highlights Rogero's emotional and moral conflict in the duel.
“When to his former self he was recovered, Of wiser and of manlier mind than e'er, From love as well was freed the enamoured lord; And she, so gentle deemed, so fair whilere, And by renowned Orlando so adored, Did but to him a worthless thing appear.”
Once Orlando regains his sanity, he is freed from his love for Angelica, who now seems worthless to him.
Orlando's recovery from madness also cures his infatuation with Angelica.