Who Angelica is
Angelica is a princess of Cathay, the poem's name for China, whose beauty attracts Christian and Saracen knights alike. At the opening, Charlemagne's camp holds her as a prize for whichever of Orlando or Rinaldo fights best. She slips away during the confusion of battle and enters the forest alone.
What Angelica wants
Angelica wants to escape the knights pursuing her, rather than reward their devotion by letting herself be caught. She is clever and resourceful, and she remains cold toward the men who hunt her. Her escapes set many of the poem's separate stories in motion.
Angelica and the others in the story
Orlando abandons his duties beside Charlemagne to search for her across different countries. His cousin Rinaldo also pursues her, making Angelica the focus of their rivalry. Yet her story is not simply about their wishes, since she repeatedly acts on her own terms.
A magic ring gives Angelica another means of protecting herself against pursuit and enchantment. Held in her mouth, it makes her invisible, while worn on her finger, it breaks enchantments.
Questions
Who is Angelica in Orlando Furioso?
Angelica is a princess from Cathay whose escape draws many knights into pursuit.
Does Angelica want Orlando to catch her?
No, Angelica seeks to evade her pursuers, including Orlando, despite his devotion.
What does Angelica's magic ring do?
The ring grants invisibility when she holds it in her mouth and breaks enchantments when she wears it.