# Rogero — Orlando Furioso character guide > Rogero in Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ruggiero, young Rogero, good Rogero, valorous Rogero, Rogero of Risa **First appearance:** 0003-canto-i ## Snapshot A Saracen knight of Risa whose valor and lineage place him at the hinge between two faiths, two armies, and one impossible marriage. ## Who they are Rogero is the finest warrior on Agramant's side, yet his destiny is tangled with Bradamant, the Christian maiden he loves and cannot openly claim. Honor pulls him one way, desire another, and he keeps leaving her side for the sake of reputation, a choice the poem's narrator openly scolds him for. His eventual conversion and union with Bradamant will seed the house of Este, making his private struggle the poem's political foundation. ## Relationships ### [Marphisa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/marphisa) _romantic_ Marphisa is Rogero's passionate lover and eventual wife, sharing a deep romantic bond. ### [Rodomont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rodomont) _rivalry_ Rodomont is a fierce Saracen rival who challenges Rogero in combat and personal honor. ### [Rinaldo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rinaldo) _rivalry_ Rinaldo is a Christian knight who frequently clashes with Rogero on the battlefield. ### [Bradamant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/bradamant) _romantic_ Bradamant is Rogero's beloved and eventual wife, with a deep romantic and marital bond. ### [Charlemagne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/charlemagne) _professional_ Charlemagne is Rogero's Christian emperor and commander, leading him in battle. ### [Mandricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/mandricardo) _rivalry_ Mandricardo is a Saracen king who competes with Rogero for glory and the sword Durandal. ### [Frontino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/frontino) _professional_ Frontino is Rogero's loyal and prized horse, serving as his steed. ### [Alcina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/alcina) _psychological_ Alcina is a sorceress who seduces and manipulates Rogero, keeping him enchanted on her island. ### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/orlando) _friendship_ Orlando is a fellow Christian knight who becomes an ally and friend to Rogero. ### [Agramant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/agramant) _professional_ Agramant is Rogero's Saracen king and commander, whom he serves before converting. ### [Leo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/leo) _rivalry_ Leo is a Byzantine prince who competes with Rogero for Bradamant's hand in marriage. ### [Zerbino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/zerbino) _friendship_ Rogero and Zerbino become loyal friends and allies during their adventures. ## In the story ### [Orlando Furioso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/orlando-furioso) A Saracen knight of noble lineage, destined to convert to Christianity and marry Bradamant, central to the epic's dynastic theme. ### [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ii) Imprisoned in Atlantes' castle; Bradamant's beloved; mentioned as having gone to challenge the winged rider. ### [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iii) Imprisoned by Atlantes in an enchanted castle; Bradamant is tasked with his rescue. ### [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iv) Freed from Atlantes' castle by Bradamant, then mounts the hippogryph and flies away. ### [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vi) Arrives in Alcina's realm, learns of her treachery from the transformed Astolpho, and resolves to seek Logistilla. ### [Canto VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vii) Overthrows Eriphila, enters Alcina's palace, is enchanted by her beauty, then sees her true form via Melissa's ring and escapes. ### [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-viii) Escapes Alcina's realm using the magic shield. ### [Canto X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-x) Arrives at Logistilla's realm, learns to control the hippogryph, and departs on a new journey. ### [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xi) Loses Angelica and the ring, then witnesses a giant attacking Bradamant and rushes to her aid. ### [Canto XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xii) Mentioned as the one Atlantes' dome was built to detain. ### [Canto XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xiii) Imprisoned by Atlantes; Bradamant aims to rescue him. ### [Canto XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxii) Agrees to be baptised and marry Bradamant; moved by the weeping woman's story, vows to save the youth; fights three knights from Pinnabel's castle, using the enchanted shield. ### [Canto XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxv) Rescues Richardetto, writes a letter to Bradamant explaining his duty to Agramant, and plans to aid the Moorish camp. ### [Canto XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvi) Leaves the group to pursue Rodomont and recover Frontino; receives a message from Bradamant via Hippalca. ### [Canto XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvii) Defeats Charlemagne alongside the paynim kings. ### [Canto XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxx) Slays King Mandricardo in a duel over the eagle emblem; is wounded but cared for by Agramant's physician. ### [Canto XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxii) Accused by Bradamant of betrayal; rumored to be betrothed to Marphisa. ### [Canto XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxiii) Appears in Bradamant's dream, reassuring her of his fidelity. ### [Canto XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxv) Unaware that Bradamant is the challenger, he eagerly arms himself for the duel. ### [Canto XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvi) Intervenes in the fight between Bradamant and Marphisa, learns he is Marphisa's brother. ### [Canto XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvii) Attracted by lament and outcry, encounters Ulania and her mourning crew. ### [Canto XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxviii) Chosen as Agramant's champion for the single combat against Rinaldo; troubled by fighting his beloved's brother. ### [Canto XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxix) Engages in a duel with Rinaldo, torn between love for Bradamant and loyalty. ### [Canto XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xl) Renews his compact with Rinaldo, inquires who broke faith, and decides to follow Agramant to Africa out of honor and duty. ### [Canto XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xli) Spares Dudon out of courtesy; makes peace and secures release of seven prisoners; later swims in a storm, tormented by conscience and unfulfilled promises. ### [Canto XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlii) Accused by Bradamant of breaking his oath. ### [Canto XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliv) Rogero is honored by Rinaldo and the hermit, but is tormented by the prospect of losing Bradamant to Leo, lamenting his humble fortunes. ### [Canto XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlv) Disguised as Leo, fights Bradamant, then flees in despair to a dark wood, contemplating suicide. ### [Canto XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlvi) Found fasting and despairing over Bradamant, he is revived by Leo's kindness. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned as the ancestor of the Este family, with a note that he died without a son. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters/rogero - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/characters