Orlando Furioso

Orlando Furioso is an Italian poem that describes French mythic history, and is available in English translation. As such, many of the characters and their magical weapons are known by several names.

Described in the annotated index as “Principal hero of the Carolingian legends; nephew and chief support and paladin of Charlemagne in his war against the Saracens; betrothed to Alda, but in love with Angelica” (614).

Orlando, also known as Roland in the French and English canons, defines the work by his presence, absence, and madness. Orlando is considered the wisest knight (when he is in possession of his wits) as well as the mightiest in battle, so his absence palpably sets the forces of Charlemagne back in their struggle against the Moors: “And Fate, to gnaw you to the bone, has depraved [Charlemagne] at one time of both the lights you had beside you—radiant with strength and wisdom—and you, left in darkness, are blind” (324). 

After Orlando is driven to madness by the discovery of Angelica and Medor’s relationship, his characterization changes dramatically. He loses all the markers of humanity, going around unclothed and impossibly violent—“a man so ferocious that, though naked and alone, he was ravaging the whole army” (469).