Orlando Furioso, Canto 4 summary

What happens

1. Bradamante binds Brunello, takes his protective ring, and challenges the flying magician at his fortress.
2. Protected from illusion, she pretends to collapse before the uncovered shield, then seizes the magician when he approaches.
3. Atlante explains that he imprisons Ruggiero to protect him from a foretold death, but Bradamante demands everyone's release.
4. Atlante destroys the fortress's enchantment and escapes; Bradamante reunites with Ruggiero, whom the hippogriff then carries away through Atlante's trick.
5. In Scotland, Rinaldo hears that Ginevra faces execution and agrees to defend her while condemning the law's unequal treatment of women.
6. Traveling with an abbey squire, Rinaldo drives away two men threatening a woman and asks her story.

In this canto

What to notice

Rinaldo makes fairness, rather than certainty about Ginevra's innocence, the basis of his defense. His argument directly challenges the kingdom's law.

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