# Endnotes explained — Orlando Furioso

> Chapter companion for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

## What happens

The endnotes provide commentary on various elements of Orlando Furioso, including mythological and medieval fountains, the character of Rinaldo, the genealogy of the Este family, historical and literary parallels, and explanations of chivalric customs, magic, and weaponry.

## Themes in this chapter

### Magic and the Supernatural

Discusses miraculous fountains, Merlin's death, the pentacle as a defense against demons, and enchanted weapons like Balisarda.

### Honor and Reputation

Covers chivalric vows, the contrast between Rinaldo's rapacity and Orlando's disinterestedness, and the formal plighting of troth.

## Character check-ins

### Rinaldo

Mentioned in connection with his sword Fusberta and his rapacious conduct contrasted with Orlando's disinterestedness.

### Orlando

Referenced in the contrast with Rinaldo's conduct and in the note about his claim to Hector's arms.

### Rogero

Mentioned as the ancestor of the Este family, with a note that he died without a son.

### Bradamant

Noted as the wife of Rogero and ancestress of the Este line.

### Zerbino

Discussed in relation to his soul's destination and his traditional association with dandyism.

### Mandricardo

Mentioned in the context of plighting troth before Doralice.

### Rodomont

Mentioned alongside Mandricardo in the same context.

### Pinabel

Referenced in the note about Altaripa and Guido the savage.

## Key lines

> bitter stream; Where Cupid dips his darts, as poets dream.

A bitter stream where Cupid is said to dip his arrows, according to poetic tradition.

_Explains the classical fiction of miraculous fountains influencing love and memory._

> Fusberta is the name of Rinaldo’s sword.

Rinaldo's sword is called Fusberta.

_Identifies the name of Rinaldo's weapon._

> The beginning of this pedigree is, of course, purely ideal.

The start of this family tree is entirely fictional.

_Acknowledges the legendary origin of the Este genealogy._

## Links

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