Rugiero, the Epic and the Chronology: Some Considerations regarding the Inamoramento de Orlando

Abstract

The article reads the deeds of Rugiero in the Inamoramento de Orlando in light of the dynastic history of Ferrara. According to the author it is possible to speak of an Inamoramento under Borso (book I) and an Inamoramento under Ercole (books II-III). After the death of Borso (1471), Boiardo had to find a way to adapt the character of Rugiero, deeply tied to Borso, to Ercole. The solution was not easy to find, as proven by the particular treatment of Rugiero in the second book: in the proem of the first canto Rugiero is presented as one of the main characters of the romance, but he appears late and very few times in the account. The Rugiero problem is solved only in the third book with the invention of the Trojan genealogy, which gives the Este a greater classicism that must have been appreciated by Ercole. On the basis of these considerations and other textual clues, the author suggests a new chronology for the three books of the poem.