Floridoro: A Chivalric Romance

The first original chivalric poem written by an Italian woman, *Floridoro* imbues a strong feminist ethos into a hypermasculine genre. Dotted with the usual characteristics-dark forests, illusory palaces, enchanted islands, seductive sorceresses*-Floridoro* is the story of the two greatest knights of a bygone age: the handsome Floridoro, who risks everything for love, and the beautiful Risamante, who helps women in distress while on a quest for her inheritance. Throughout, Moderata Fonte (1555-92) vehemently defends women's capacity to rival male prowess in traditionally male-dominated spheres. And her open criticism of women's lack of education is echoed in the plights of various female characters who must depend on unreliable men. First published in 1581, *Floridoro* remains a vivacious and inventive narrative by a singular poet.