SOURCE: Kress, D. A. “Critics and Critiques.” In The Orlando Legend in Nineteenth-Century French Literature, pp. 63-83. New York: Peter Lang, 1996.

In the following essay, Kress surveys the changing critical reception of Orlando furioso among nineteenth-century French critics.

By tracing the ideas presented within the many critical assessments of the Orlando furioso produced during the nineteenth century, an excellent overview of the evolving perceptions towards Ariosto may be attained. Although present-day critics have not totally ignored this area of Ariosto studies, much remains to be accomplished. In general, research has focused on the early years of the century, in particular upon the contributions of La Harpe, Simonde de Sismondi, Madame de Staël, and Ginguené. Carlo Cordié,¹ Charles Dédéyan,² and Isabella Bassani-Nardi³ provide an excellent overview of the work of these critics.

During the early years of the century Ariosto's reputation as a writer remained beyond...