Orlando Furioso
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
Orlando furioso ("The Frenzy of Orlando") is a 16th century Italian influential epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto on knight errantry.
Plot
The action takes place against the background of the war between Charlemagne and his Christian paladins, and the Saracen army which is attempting to invade Europe. However, Ariosto has little concern for historical or geographical accuracy, and the poem wanders at will from Japan to the Hebrides, as well as including many fantastical and magical elements, such as a trip to the moon and an array of fantastical creatures including the orc and the hippogriff. Many themes are interwoven in its complicated, episodic structure, but the most important plots include the paladin Orlando's unrequited love for the pagan princess Angelica, which develops into the madness of the title; and the love between the female Christian warrior Bradamante and the pagan Ruggiero.
Art
Orlando furioso has been the inspiration for many works of art, including paintings by Tiepolo, Ingres, Redon and a series of illustrations by Gustave Doré.
