Jerusalem Delivered

“Jerusalem Delivered” is an epic poem by Torquato Tasso. First published in 1581 in Parma, Italy, the poem is a fantastical retelling of the First Crusade from both Muslim and Christian perspectives. The poem is known for exploring the deep tensions between duty and passion. It follows the Italian Renaissance style of epic poetry. Critics note that it is not historically accurate in many ways, but it is still an acclaimed poem. Tasso was a prominent sixteenth-century poet best known for “Jerusalem Delivered.” Shortly before the Pope planned to crown him the king of poets, he died of a mysterious illness. It is believed that he suffered from mental illness.

“Jerusalem Delivered” focuses less on the battlefield and more on the backstories of women and ordinary people swept up in the conflict. It takes place in 1099 and opens in Judea, Palestine. The action is set close to the Christian liberation of Jerusalem. Throughout the poem, many characters convert from Islam to Christianity.

As the poem begins, Tasso describes the princes and warriors leading the army toward Jerusalem. The archangel Gabriel appears to say that God elected a Belgian man Godfrey of Bouillon to lead the Christian Crusaders. Godfrey wants to restore God to Jerusalem, which angers other noblemen who care more about carving out territory for themselves than liberating Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Aladine, Jerusalem’s leader, condemns a Christian maiden, Sophronia, to death. Clorinda, a Persian woman, rescues her before the execution day. Clorinda attracts the attention of Tancredi, a Christian knight. Tancredi declares his love for her, but she is not interested. He pines for her.

A Muslim maiden, Erminia, loves Tancredi. She does whatever she can to attract his attention. She promises to betray the Muslim people if it secures Tancredi’s love. Naturally, Tancredi pretends to love her, but when Christian soldiers attack her, he does not help. She runs into the forest and hides with a poor shepherd family. They help her convert to Christianity.

In the meantime, a Muslim sorceress, Armida, appears. She is Satan’s tool in this battle. Satan does not want the Christians to win, and so he asks Armida to seduce the strongest Christian knight, Rinaldo, and kill him. If Rinaldo dies, the Christians will lose faith and give up the fight. Armida agrees because she supports the Muslim cause.

Armida is a proud, arrogant witch. Knowing she is beautiful, she uses her looks to win Godfrey’s affection. With Godfrey on her side, she can meet with the Christian soldiers to seduce them. Soon, the whole camp loves her. The problem is that she doesn’t expect to fall in love with a Christian man.

When Armida meets Rinaldo, she is attracted to him. She doesn’t kill him; instead, she abducts him so they can live together on an isolated island. Satan doesn’t care as long as Rinaldo never comes back. Although Rinaldo enjoys Armida’s company, he doesn’t plan to leave the war behind. Despite her best efforts to seduce him, he abandons her, returning to his troops. For the first time, Armida knows heartbreak.

Meanwhile, Clorinda converts to Islam, and the Muslims attack a Christian siege tower with her help. Tancredi sees her, but not recognizing her, he attacks her. Before she dies, Clorinda converts back to Christianity. Tancredi tells her that he loves her and that he didn’t attack her on purpose. She dies at peace.

In the background, another Muslim sorcerer, Ismen, works on the Muslim defenses. He uses his powers to protect the Muslim forests from Christian weapons. The Christians lose hope when they can’t breach Ismen’s powers. However, Rinaldo arrives, boosting morale again. He breaks the enchantments and lays siege to the forests. The Christians are winning.

All the while, Armida wallows in grief. She cannot get over Rinaldo’s abandonment. She decides to punish him by raising an army against him. Satan thinks this is a great idea. She sends her strongest men to kill Rinaldo, but none make it back alive. Rinaldo is a hero with God on his side. Depressed and humiliated, Armida tries to kill herself, but Rinaldo stops her.

Rinaldo tells Armida to ask for God’s forgiveness. If she converts to Christianity, there is still hope for her soul. Still loving Rinaldo, she believes everything he says. She turns Christian. No matter what she does, though, she never wins Rinaldo’s heart. At least now, God is with her.

The Christians breach Muslim defenses, laying waste to their forests. They make for Jerusalem and attack the city. This is a violent and difficult siege, and many Christians die. Godfrey knows they must secure the city before an Egyptian army arrives because the Egyptians outnumber them.

Godfrey’s army secures the city just before the Egyptians arrive. They fight a long, grueling siege, but the Christians ultimately succeed. Rinaldo asks Armida to serve as his handmaiden, and she willingly accepts. In the meantime, Godfrey and his soldiers slaughter everyone who stands against them. This murder, Godfrey claims, is necessary for liberating Jerusalem forever.