ABSTRACT

There are two things to note about Rugiero in Boiardo's work. The first is that of the two main themes that make up Orlando innamorato—the story of Orlando and the story of Rugiero—that of Orlando is a purely literary motif, whereas that of Rugiero has a historical as literary significance. The second observation to be made is that his appearance comes quite late in the course of the poem. The significance of the Rugiero motif can only make sense if read against the peculiar background of Ferrarese politics and Boiardo's proximity to the ducal family. His intention to present Ercole as the legitimate descendant of Rugiero appears to have been endorsed by Ercole himself, who encouraged the poet and even gave him special leave to work on the poem. And since his effort to legitimize the Este family received the personal support of the Duke, it fitted the Este strategy of basing their claim to power on hereditary succession.