Orlando Furioso

Orlando Furioso is one of the great poems of the Renaissance, a vast romance of love, war, magic, and madness. Written by Ludovico Ariosto and first published in 1516, it continues the story of Orlando, Charlemagne's greatest knight, who is driven to madness by his love for Angelica. The poem ranges from the battlefields of France to the islands of enchantresses, and even to the moon, as a huge cast of knights, Saracens, and warrior women pursue love and glory.

This edition presents William Stewart Rose's verse translation of all forty-six cantos; a few stanzas that Rose left untranslated are marked by short notes. Its interwoven stories and ironic narrator have influenced writers from Shakespeare to Byron.

This edition also includes a new introduction for first-time readers, a character guide, a summary of the plot, an exploration of key themes, a glossary of archaic and period terms, and discussion questions for book clubs and students.