# Melissa — Orlando Furioso character guide

> Melissa in Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** sage Melissa, the weird Melissa, Melissa hight

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

## Snapshot

A sage enchantress who steers Bradamant and Rogero toward their destined union, using prophecy and magic where swords would only make a mess.

## Who they are

Melissa is the poem's wise woman, a sorceress whose counsel and illusions serve the long game of bringing Bradamant and Rogero together. Where the knights chase immediate glory, she works in decades, conjuring visions of the illustrious line their marriage will produce. In the early–middle arc she is the quiet architect of the poem's dynastic spine, a reminder that Ariosto's romance is also a family history with a future to protect.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Melissa is a benevolent enchantress who guides and protects Rogero as a mentor.

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

_friendship_

Melissa is a benevolent enchantress who guides and protects Rogero as a mentor.

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

_friendship_

Melissa is a benevolent enchantress who guides and protects Rogero as a mentor.

## In the story

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

Sage enchantress who guides Bradamant, reveals the prophecy, and explains how to obtain Brunello's ring.

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

The sage enchantress who advises Rogero, gives him the ring to break Alcina's spell, and later comforts Bradamant.

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

Restores Astolpho and others to their true forms.

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

Acts as an ambassador for Rogero and Astolpho to Logistilla.

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

The sage enchantress who guides Bradamant and reveals prophecies about her lineage.

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

Blamed by Bradamant for encouraging her love for Rogero with false prophecies.

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

Promises to intervene and disturb the duel to comfort Bradamant.

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

The enchantress who gives the host the magical cup and advises him to test his wife's fidelity.

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

Mentioned as having knowledge of Rogero's whereabouts, reserved for later verse.

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

Guides Leo to Rogero and provides aid and comfort.

## Links

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