72 pages • 2 hours read
Ludovico AriostoOrlando Furioso
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1532A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read Orlando Furioso?
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.