# Rinaldo — Orlando Furioso character guide > Rinaldo in Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. **Role:** major **Also known as:** good Rinaldo, Sir Rinaldo, Rinaldo di Mont' Albano **First appearance:** 0003-canto-i ## Snapshot Orlando's cousin and a paladin of Montalbano, famous for his sword Fusberta, his stolen horse Bayardo, and a temper that keeps costing him. ## Who they are Rinaldo is one of Charlemagne's most trusted captains, sent on embassies to England and Scotland to raise troops while Paris sits under siege. He is brave and effective, but the old romances remember him as a borderer with a raider's hands, and the poem's notes openly contrast his acquisitiveness with Orlando's disinterest. His long pursuit of Angelica, and his family's feud-prone honor, keep him entangled in the same love-madness that will destroy his cousin. ## Relationships ### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero) _rivalry_ Rinaldo is a Christian knight who frequently clashes with Rogero on the battlefield. ### [Charlemagne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/charlemagne) _professional_ Charlemagne is Rinaldo's emperor and commander, leading the Christian forces. ### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/orlando) _friendship_ Orlando and Rinaldo are fellow Christian knights and cousins who fight together. ### [Bayardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/bayardo) _professional_ Bayardo is Rinaldo's loyal and intelligent horse, serving as his trusted steed. ### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero) _rivalry_ Rinaldo is a Christian knight who frequently clashes with Rogero on the battlefield. ### [Charlemagne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/charlemagne) _professional_ Charlemagne is Rinaldo's emperor and commander, leading the Christian forces. ### [Rogero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero) _rivalry_ Rinaldo is a Christian knight who frequently clashes with Rogero on the battlefield. ### [Bayardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/bayardo) _professional_ Bayardo is Rinaldo's loyal and intelligent horse, serving as his trusted steed. ### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/orlando) _friendship_ Orlando and Rinaldo are fellow Christian knights and cousins who fight together. ## In the story ### [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-i) Loses his horse Bayardo, fights Ferraù, and pursues Angelica. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ii) Dueling Sacripant over Angelica; Angelica flees from him. ### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iv) Disembarks in Scotland, learns of Geneura's situation, and vows to champion her cause against the unjust law. ### [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-v) Rinaldo rescues Dalinda and learns the truth about Polinesso's plot against Geneura; he rides to St. Andrew's town to aid in Geneura's defense. ### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vi) Advises the king to grant Geneura to Ariodantes and intercedes for Dalinda's pardon. ### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-viii) Levies knights and squadrons to aid Charlemagne. ### [Canto XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xiv) Approaches Paris with angelic guidance to aid the Christian host. ### [Canto XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xvi) Rescues Zerbino from the Saracen onslaught, kills Prusion, Agricalt, Bambirago, and wounds Soridane and Serpentine. ### [Canto XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxi) Leads the charge against Agramant's host, contends with Gradasso for Bayardo, and returns to Paris. ### [Canto XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxiii) Engages in a fierce duel with Gradasso for Bayardo and Durindana. ### [Canto XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxviii) Chosen as Charlemagne's champion for the duel; confident of victory. ### [Canto XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxix) Duels with Rogero, unaware of the emotional stakes for Bradamant. ### [Canto XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlii) Still loves Angelica; seeks Malagigi's help and later is tested with a magical cup. ### [Canto XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliii) Listens to the host's tale of jealousy and lost love, then travels by pinnace toward Ravenna. ### [Canto XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliv) Rinaldo pledges his sister to Rogero and travels with him to Marseilles, showing great favor and obligation toward Rogero. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in connection with his sword Fusberta and his rapacious conduct contrasted with Orlando's disinterestedness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rinaldo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters