72 pages • 2 hours read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
630
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Charlemagne's Europe • Medieval
1532
Adult
18+ years
Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto is a chivalric romance set during the war between Emperor Charlemagne of France and Moorish King Agramant, centering on the knight Orlando who goes mad from unrequited love for the princess Angelica, while interwoven narratives follow other characters like Rinaldo, Bradamant, and Ruggiero through various adventures, rescues, and battles. This epic poem includes graphic violence, non-consensual situations, and intense emotional distress.
Fantastical
Adventurous
Romantic
Humorous
Melancholic
3,961 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto is heralded for its imaginative narrative, rich characterization, and intricate interweaving of multiple plotlines. Celebrated for its poetic mastery and influence on Western literature, it offers a vibrant depiction of chivalric romance. Some critics, however, find its length daunting and episodic structure disorienting. Overall, it remains a classic of epic poetry.
A reader who enjoys Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto likely has a passion for epic poetry, medieval romances, and intricate narratives filled with chivalry, magic, and adventure. Comparable to those entranced by The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri and Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, they appreciate rich, imaginative tales interwoven with historical and fantastical elements.
3,961 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ruggiero
A Saracen champion descended from Hector of Troy, in love with Bradamant, and intricately connected with the mythic origins of the House of Este through his conversion and noble actions.
Astolfo
An English paladin, cousin to Orlando, known for his wide-ranging travels and reliance on magic and faith, rather than combat, to accomplish his adventures.
Rinaldo
Son of Aymon and a key paladin of Charlemagne, known for his rivalry with Orlando in pursuing Angelica, and a prominent figure in French mythic cycles.
Angelica
Daughter of the Emperor of Cathay, whose extraordinary beauty captivates numerous knights, possessing agency and magical means to navigate her perilous journey.
Bradamant
A Christian warrior-damsel and sister of Rinaldo, whose prowess in battle and conflict with traditional gender roles highlight her destined marriage to Ruggiero.
Marfisa
A formidable Saracen warrior-damsel who is the sister of Ruggiero, noted for her commitment to celibacy and for challenging gender norms within the narrative.
Melissa
A sorceress of Mantuan origin, crucial to the prophecy concerning Bradamant's marriage, and a connector of chivalric traditions to present narratives through her magical interventions.
Agramant
The King of Africa and leader of the Saracen forces against Charlemagne, portrayed as a strategic figure more active in warfare than Charlemagne himself.
Rodomont
An African king and chief Saracen champion, characterized by his unmatched malice and destructive force in the conflict against Charlemagne's forces.
630
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Charlemagne's Europe • Medieval
1532
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.