Canto XXXVIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Honor and Reputation

  Rogero's duty to his liege lord and the importance of honor over personal desire are emphasized.

• Love and Chivalry

  Bradamant's anguish over Rogero fighting her brother highlights the conflict between love and chivalric duty.

• War and Conflict

  The decision to settle the war by single combat reflects the broader conflict between Christian and Paynim forces.

Characters to notice

• Marphisa

  Arrives in Arles to be baptized, guided by Bradamant.

• Bradamant

  Guides Marphisa to Arles; distressed by the upcoming duel between Rogero and her brother Rinaldo.

• Astolpho

  Descends from heaven and restores sight to the Nubian king, then attacks Agramant's land.

• Rogero

  Chosen as Agramant's champion for the single combat against Rinaldo; troubled by fighting his beloved's brother.

• Rinaldo

  Chosen as Charlemagne's champion for the duel; confident of victory.

• Charlemagne

  Accepts the proposal for single combat; chooses Rinaldo as his champion.

• Agramant

  Persuaded by Sobrino to settle the war by single combat; selects Rogero as his champion.

• Melissa

  Promises to intervene and disturb the duel to comfort Bradamant.

Key passages

• “Ye courteous ladies, who unto my strain Kind audience lend⁠—I read it in your cheer⁠— That good Rogero should depart again So suddenly, from her that held him dear, Displeases ye, and scarce inflicts less pain Than that which Bradamant endured whilere: I read you also argue, to his shame, That feebly burned in him the amorous flame.”

  The narrator addresses the ladies, acknowledging that Rogero's sudden departure from Bradamant displeases them and seems to show weak love.

  The narrator defends Rogero's departure as a matter of honor.

• “Yet to preserve our honour not alone Deserves excuse, it also merits praise: This to preserve, I say, when to have done In other wise, might shame and scandal raise;”

  Preserving honor not only excuses but deserves praise, because acting otherwise would bring shame.

  Honor is prioritized over personal desire.

• “He will perform his duty to repair To his liege lord; so did that martial maid; Who had not with reiterated prayer (As so she might have done) Rogero stayed.”

  Rogero returns to his king, and Bradamant does not detain him with repeated prayers, though she could have.

  Bradamant respects Rogero's duty.

• “But twice two hundred years will not atone The crying sin of honour once foregone.”

  No amount of time can make up for the sin of losing honor.

  Emphasis on the irreparable nature of dishonor.

• “Nought can result to Bradamant but pain, Whatever is the doubtful combat’s end.”

  Bradamant will suffer no matter the outcome of the duel.

  Her anguish is inevitable.