Orlando Furioso, Canto 10 summary

What happens

1. Bireno desires a young princess, conceals his rejection of Olimpia, and sails away while Olimpia sleeps on a deserted island.
2. Olimpia discovers her abandonment, calls after the ships, and grieves over her losses and danger.
3. Ruggiero refuses Alcina’s women, crosses toward Logistilla, and survives Alcina’s attack through his shield and armed help.
4. Logistilla welcomes Ruggiero and teaches him to control the hippogriff; he departs and explores many countries.
5. Near London, Ruggiero learns about troops assembled to help Charles, then flies onward and finds Angelica bound beside the sea.
6. Ruggiero stuns the monster with his shield, frees Angelica, and takes her to Brittany, where he struggles to remove his armor.

In this canto

What to notice

The fortress gems make accurate self-judgment possible. Their power contrasts with the mistaken judgments and concealed motives surrounding Bireno.

Quick check