Part 1
Compare the Armida episode of Jerusalem Delivered (Cantos 1516) to the Alcina episode in Orlando Furioso (Cantos 68), with the aim of interpreting Tassos poem. (If you like you can also bring in earlier versions of the sorceress figure, like Circe.) What does Tasso do differently than Ariosto (or Homer, etc.), and why? Which details take on more significance when you put the episodes side by side? Are their different attitudes being expressed toward women and sexuality? Etc.
Part 2
Compare the various women warriors in Tasso (especially Clorinda) to those in Ariosto (especially Bradamante and Marfisa). What are the main similarities and differences, and how what is the significance of Clorinda in Tasso?
ORLANDO FURIOSO by LUDOVICO ARIOSTO
JERUSALEM DELIVERED By TASSO