# Betrayal and Deception in Orlando Furioso

> Theme guide for Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

The narrative is filled with acts of treachery, false promises, and disguised identities, as characters like Polinesso and Origilla manipulate others for personal gain, underscoring the fragility of trust in a world of shifting allegiances.

## Where it surfaces

- [Canto I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-i): Ferraù breaks his oath to Argalìa, and Angelica deceives Sacripant to secure his aid.
- [Canto II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ii): Pinabel's treacherous intent to abandon Bradamant highlights the theme of betrayal.
- [Canto III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iii): Pinabel's treacherous act of pushing Bradamant into the cave exemplifies betrayal.
- [Canto IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-iv): Bradamant feigns trust in Brunello while using the ring to deceive him; Atlantes' deceptive magic is also featured.
- [Canto V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-v): Polinesso's elaborate deception of Dalinda and his plot to frame Geneura for infidelity drive the canto's conflict, highlighting the destructive power of falsehood.
- [Canto VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vi): Alcina's false love and transformation of her lovers, Polinesso's treachery against Geneura, and the theme of hidden truths revealed.
- [Canto VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-vii): Alcina's false beauty deceives Rogero; Melissa's guidance helps him see through the illusion.
- [Canto VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-viii): Alcina's enchantments and the false friar's attempted assault on Angelica highlight themes of deceit.
- [Canto IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-ix): Olympia's story is filled with betrayal: King Cymosco's treachery against her family, her own feigned willingness to marry his son, and the fear that Cymosco will not honor the exchange for Bireno.
- [Canto X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-x): Bireno's treacherous abandonment of Olympia exemplifies the theme of betrayal, as he feigns love while plotting to leave her.
- [Canto XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xi): Angelica deceives Rogero by vanishing with the ring; Bireno's betrayal of Olympia is recounted.
- [Canto XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xii): The deceptive appearances in the enchanted palace lead knights to chase illusions.
- [Canto XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xiii): Atlantes uses illusions to deceive knights, trapping them in his palace, while Isabella's trust in Odoric is betrayed.
- [Canto XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xvi): Origille's cunning deception of Gryphon, feigning joy and weeping, exemplifies the theme of betrayal and false appearances.
- [Canto XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xvii): Martano and Origille deceive Gryphon, stealing his identity and arms, leading to his public humiliation.
- [Canto XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xix): Cloridan's ambush and the treachery of the sea.
- [Canto XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xx): The story of the Greek women betraying their husbands and the subsequent abandonment of the Cretan women by Phalantus and his men underscores themes of betrayal.
- [Canto XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxi): Gabrina's false accusations and manipulation lead to the tragic downfall of Philander and Argaeus.
- [Canto XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxii): Pinnabel's treachery against Bradamant is revealed; the weeping woman's story involves a youth who deceived the king by disguising himself to visit his lover.
- [Canto XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxiii): Pinnabel's treachery against Bradamant is punished by her hand; Angelica's faithlessness drives Orlando to madness.
- [Canto XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxiv): Odoric's treachery against Isabella and Zerbino's struggle to decide his punishment highlight themes of betrayal and justice.
- [Canto XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxvii): Malagigi's ill-advised plan leads to unintended consequences, and Rodomont feels betrayed by Doralice and Agramant.
- [Canto XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxviii): The landlord's tale centers on the betrayal of husbands by their wives, and the deception that pervades relationships.
- [Canto XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxix): Isabella deceives Rodomont with a false promise of invulnerability to protect her chastity, while Rodomont initially plans to betray his oath to her.
- [Canto XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxii): Bradamant feels betrayed by Rogero's rumored infidelity and by the false hopes given by Merlin and Melissa.
- [Canto XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxiv): Lydia's betrayal of Alcestes' trust and her manipulative words highlight themes of deception.
- [Canto XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxv): Bradamant's belief that Rogero is faithless, and the ironic situation where she unknowingly seeks to fight him, highlight themes of perceived betrayal.
- [Canto XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvi): Bradamant suspects Rogero of infidelity with Marphisa, leading to her fury and the conflict.
- [Canto XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxvii): Tanacro betrays Olindro's hospitality, and Drusilla feigns love to deceive and poison Tanacro.
- [Canto XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xxxix): Melissa's disguise as Rodomont tricks Agramant into breaking the truce, leading to chaos.
- [Canto XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xl): The broken pact between Agramant and Charlemagne is investigated; Rogero learns Agramant broke faith first.
- [Canto XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlii): Bradamant feels betrayed by Rogero's broken oath; the magical cup tests marital fidelity.
- [Canto XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliii): The host's wife is seduced by gold, betraying her husband; Melissa's deceptive counsel leads to the tragedy.
- [Canto XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xliv): Aymon's promise to Constantine for Leo, despite Rinaldo's earlier pledge to Rogero, creates a sense of betrayal and broken faith.
- [Canto XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlv): Rogero's disguise as Leo and the hidden identity in the combat underscore themes of deception, even as Rogero remains true to his word.
- [Canto XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/chapters/canto-xlvi): Rogero's initial intent to kill Leo is reversed by Leo's kindness, highlighting the theme of deception overcome by truth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/themes/betrayal_and_deception
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_furioso_se/themes