Ariosto’s story is set in Scotland and is told from the point of view of the maid, Dalinda (Margaret in Shakespeare’s play). Dalinda is servant to Genevra, the daughter of the King of Scotland. Dalinda’s lover, Polynesso, convinces Dalinda to dress up like Genevra and make love to him. Little does she know that the intended audience of the spectacle is Ariodante, a rival knight to Polynesso, who is in love with Genevra. (Bell’s Shakespeare)

Read the Fifth Canto HERE

Check out THIS VIDEO which summarizes and unpacks the Fifth Canto

Bandello’s novella is set in Messina, like Much Ado About Nothing, and features a wealthy knight, Sir Timbreo (the equivalent of Shakespeare’s Claudio) a courtier of King Piero of Aragon. Sir Timbreo falls in love with Fenicia, the daughter of Lionato de’ Lionati. Sir Timbreo’s comrade Sir Girondo is also in love with Fenicia and decides to ruin Sir Timbreo’s courtship by deceiving him, in much the same way Claudio is deceived in Much Ado About Nothing. (Bell’s Shakespeare)

Read the original story HERE (starting on page 302)

A Merry War by Paul F. Weinhold