Rodomonte

Rodomonte defending the bridge; illustration by Gustave Dore to Orlando furioso

Rodomonte (or Rodamonte) is a major character in the Italian romantic epic poems Orlando innamorato by Matteo Maria Boiardo and Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. He is the King of Sarza and Algiers and the leader of the Saracen army which besieges Charlemagne in Paris. He is in love with Doralice, Princess of Granada, but she elopes with his rival Mandricardo. He tries to seduce Isabella but she tricks him into killing her by mistake. In remorse, Rodomonte builds a bridge in her memory and forces all who cross it to pay tribute. When the maddened Orlando "naked and mad" arrives at the bridge it is Rodomonte, the pagan, who throws him into the river below. They both swim ashore, but Orlando who is naked and is unimpeded by heavy armors get to the shore first. Finally, Rodomonte appears at the wedding of Bradamante and Ruggiero and accuses Ruggiero of treason for converting to Christianity and abandoning the Saracen cause. The two fight a duel and Rodomonte is killed.

Rodomonte's prowess is matched only by his arrogance and boasting. His name is the source of the expression rodomontade, meaning "boastful, bragging talk".[1]

Rodomonte is also synonym of strength and courage. The King of Spain gave the appellative "Rodomonte" to Luigi Gonzaga for his extraordinary strength. Ireneo Affò (1780). Vita di Luigi Gonzaga, detto Rodomonte, Principe del Sacro Romano Impero. Parma: Presso Filippo Carmignani.

Rodomonte first appears in Book 2, Canto 1 of Orlando innamorato. Boiardo was said to be so pleased at the invention of his name that he had the church bells rung in celebration.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Concise Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ↑ Waley p.23

Sources

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