Orlando Furioso, Canto 25 summary

What happens

1. Two pagan rivals postpone their quarrel and ride toward Paris to help their army.
2. Ruggiero attacks an execution crowd and rescues a young man whose resemblance to Bradamante misleads him.
3. Ricciardetto identifies himself and describes exploiting Fiordispina’s love for his sister through impersonation and a false transformation story.
4. At Agrismonte, Aldigier reports a planned prisoner exchange, and Ruggiero offers to free Malagigi and Viviano.
5. Troubled by competing obligations, Ruggiero writes to Bradamante asking for time to relieve Agramante’s siege.
6. At dawn, Ruggiero and the two cousins ride to intercept the exchange and encounter a knight with a bird emblem.

In this canto

What to notice

Ruggiero’s request gives military honor a temporary claim over his actions while affirming his lasting commitment to Bradamante.

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