# Marphisa — Orlando Furioso character guide

> Marphisa in Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** bold Marphisa, proud Marphisa, the bold Marphisa

**First appearance:** 0003-canto-i

## Snapshot

A warrior woman of the Saracen host who rides and fights as fiercely as any paladin, and whose buried kinship with Rogero quietly shapes her course.

## Who they are

Marphisa moves through the Moorish camps as a peerless fighter, her boldness matched only by her refusal to be anyone's ornament or prize. She is sister to Rogero, a bond she does not fully know, and that hidden tie gives her wanderings a weight beyond mere adventure. In the early–middle arc she is the poem's sharpest answer to its own chivalric boys' club, a woman whose sword-arm and pride force the narrative to take her seriously.

## Relationships

### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero)

_romantic_

Marphisa is Rogero's passionate lover and eventual wife, sharing a deep romantic bond.

### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero)

_romantic_

Marphisa is Rogero's passionate lover and eventual wife, sharing a deep romantic bond.

### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero)

_romantic_

Marphisa is Rogero's passionate lover and eventual wife, sharing a deep romantic bond.

## In the story

### [Canto XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xix)

Endures a storm at sea with companions.

### [Canto XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xx)

In ire over Gabrina's cause, puts scathe and scorn upon Zerbino and makes him guardian of Gabrina.

### [Canto XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvi)

Revealed as the stranger who joins Rogero, Richardet, and Aldigier; later dons female attire and is challenged by Mandricardo.

### [Canto XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvii)

Recognizes the stolen horse Frontino and recalls her own faulchion being taken.

### [Canto XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxii)

Rumored to be Rogero's lover; brings aid to Agramant and frees Brunello.

### [Canto XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvi)

Fierce warrior who battles Bradamant and is revealed to be Rogero's sister.

### [Canto XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvii)

Takes fierce revenge on Marganor for his foul scorn against Ulania.

### [Canto XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxviii)

Arrives in Arles to be baptized, guided by Bradamant.

### [Canto XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxix)

Fights alongside Bradamant, seeking vengeance for her father's death.

### [Canto XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlii)

Offers comfort to Bradamant and promises to confront Rogero.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/marphisa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters