| Summary: | A double catastrophe is narrated in the XXXVII canto of Orlando furioso. The first calamity, unleashed by the tragic death of both Marganorre’s sons, is of an individual sort; yet it reveals an ‘apocalyptic’ trait, since it unveils the tyrant’s cruel, barbaric and ferocious nature. The second catastrophe, which is a consequence of the former, involves the masses: while exercising a tyrannical power, Marganorre imposes a cruel and misogynistic law, that forces women to leave their men and to live with the fear of death. However, in the world of Furioso sins are never un-punished: while heroes take actions in order to reverse (more than re-establish) the status quo, the crowd is encouraged to avenge. Behind the fictional world and the plan to celebrate women, Marganorre’s dark episode, with its catastrophes, shows a disturbing aspect that goes beyond fiction and encourages reflection.
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