Orlando Furioso Essay

Orlando Furioso is a is an epic poem of the Renaissance written by Ludovico Ariosto. The poem consists of cantos including different characters. There are important characters that show how woman behaved and the domestication process in connection to men. The character of Bradamante, a female Christian knight, who falls in love with a Saracen warrior named Ruggiero, can be analyzed through specific cantos in the story. This character is a figure of how woman want to be seen with a sense of respect, fearless, and fair in other peoples eyes versus what woman are feeling on the inside about themselves. However, as the reader there are questionable traits that Bradamante presents as to whether she can go from an Amazonian character to a domesticated …show more content…
Bradamante decide to wear her armor and helmet that allows her to pass by as a man. She successfully defeats three knights and is allowed inside. After entering the castle, they all gather around where the governor of the castle recognizes and admires her beauty describing it as “the beauty of angels” (pg. 386) and combat skill. It was all going well until Bradamante took her helmet off and revealed her true gender. Absurd at the gender discovery, they decide to kick her out and revoke her stay. Finally, Bradamante speaks. In the class discussion professor Bher mentions that Bradamante’s speech was very elaborate and well educated. Bradamnate says, “It does not seem to me that any judgement can be regarded as mature and just unless an audience has first been given to the interested party, her denials and observations taken into account” (pg. 394). In her saying this she attepmts to defend all woman by stepping forward and responding to their ridiculous request. “I claim myself to a degree as Ullanias lawyer.” …show more content…
Again, Bradamante wins a combat only this time it is verbal. Domestication means to adapt and/ or to benefit humans. In this canto, the goal of Bradamante is to be treated as an equal to Ullania. Although she defeats her, it is not through fighting nor was it purposely. Through the actions and conversations that take place in this canto we can see that Bradamante goes undergo a change in which she was forced to adapt to the people whom she was speaking to. Their ideas differed from her own, however her words were persuading with many arguments and with well- chosen words. Talking would not be an Amazonian’s first approach to a situation. Because the dark was approaching, Bradamante needed to locate a place of shelter. The challenge of defeating the knights stood and Bradamante seized the opportunity. This was an event that obligated Bradamante to act this way in order to find shelter. She had no choice. Although she demonstrated Amazonian characteristics, this was not who she was destined to be. Towards the end, while standing up for Ullania, Bradamente speaks firmly and decisive but also wisely. Through choosing to speaks this was Bradamante demonstrates that she is capable of setting aside how she acts to benefit other humans. She is tamed. This is canto 32 is an example of how