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Orlando Furioso · Chapter

Canto XXXIV explained

Astolpho descends into the infernal pit, where he encounters the spirit of Lydia, who recounts her story of pride and ingratitude toward the Thracian knight Alcestes, leading to her eternal punishment in smoke.

What happens

Astolpho descends into the infernal pit, where he encounters the spirit of Lydia, who recounts her story of pride and ingratitude toward the Thracian knight Alcestes, leading to her eternal punishment in smoke. Afterward, Astolpho ascends to the terrestrial paradise, where he is advised by John the Evangelist, recovers Orlando's lost wits, and sees the Fates spinning their threads before returning to earth.

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Astolpho, usin…

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Themes in this chapter

  • Constancy and Fickleness

    Lydia's story exemplifies fickleness and ingratitude toward a constant lover, leading to her eternal punishment.

  • Love and Chivalry

    Alcestes' love for Lydia drives his chivalric deeds, but her scorn perverts the ideal of courtly love.

  • Betrayal and Deception

    Lydia's betrayal of Alcestes' trust and her manipulative words highlight themes of deception.

Characters to notice

  • Astolpho

    Descends into the infernal pit, hears Lydia's tale, and later ascends to the terrestrial paradise.

  • Lydia

    The spirit of Lydia, punished in smoke for her ingratitude and scorn toward her lover Alcestes.

  • Orlando

    Astolpho recovers Orlando's lost wits in the terrestrial paradise.

Key passages

  • “Lydia, the child of Lydia's king, am I, To proud estate and princely honours born, Condemned by righteous doom of God on high In murky smoke eternally to mourn: Because a kindly lover's constancy I, while I lived, repaid with spite and scorn.”

    I am Lydia, daughter of Lydia's king, born to wealth and status, but now condemned by divine justice to suffer forever in dark smoke because I repaid a faithful lover's devotion with cruelty and contempt.

    Lydia introduces herself and explains her punishment for ingratitude.

  • “He speedily his winged horse forsook; (Him to a sapling near at hand he ties) The cavern entered next; but first he took His horn, whereon the knight in all relies.”

    Astolpho quickly dismounted from his winged horse, tied it to a nearby tree, and then entered the cave, first taking his horn, on which he depended completely.

    Astolpho prepares to enter the infernal cavern, trusting in his magical horn.

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