Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Roland and Ferragus explained
Orlando (Roland) battles the giant Ferragus, whose skin is invulnerable to swords.
What happens
Orlando (Roland) battles the giant Ferragus, whose skin is invulnerable to swords. After a truce, Orlando shows chivalry by providing a pillow for the sleeping giant. Ferragus, grateful, reveals his only vulnerable spot, which Orlando later exploits to kill him. Orlando also wins the sword Durindana from a Saracen warrior, a weapon once owned by Hector of Troy.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Heroism and the Quest
Orlando's victory over Ferragus exemplifies heroic combat and the quest for glory.
- Hospitality and Its Violation
The truce and Orlando's act of providing a pillow highlight the code of hospitality, which is respected even in war.
Characters to notice
- Orlando
The Christian paladin who defeats the giant Ferragus through cleverness and chivalry.
- Ferragus
A giant with invulnerable skin who is killed after revealing his weak spot.
- Charlemagne
Emperor of the Christian camp, who rejoices in Orlando's victory.
- Hector
The Trojan prince whose sword Durindana is won by Orlando.
Key passages
“Ferragus was a giant, and moreover his skin was of such impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any impression upon it.”
Ferragus was a giant whose skin could not be cut by any sword.
Describes the giant's invulnerability.
“After long fighting Ferragus was so weary that he proposed a truce, and when it was agreed upon he lay down and immediately fell asleep.”
Exhausted from battle, Ferragus suggested a truce and quickly fell asleep.
Highlights the temporary halt in combat.
“But Ferragus lay so uncomfortably for the want of a pillow that Orlando took pity upon him, and brought a smooth stone and placed it under his head.”
Seeing Ferragus uncomfortable without a pillow, Orlando kindly put a smooth stone under his head.
Shows Orlando's chivalrous nature.
“Among other things he told Orlando that he need not attempt to kill him with a sword, for that every part of his body was invulnerable, except this; and as he spoke, he put his hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his breast.”
Ferragus revealed that only one spot on his chest was vulnerable to a sword.
The giant discloses his weakness.
“This famous weapon had once belonged to the illustrious prince Hector of Troy.”
The sword Durindana was previously owned by the Trojan prince Hector.
Connects the sword to classical legend.
