Orlando furioso ... With an explanation of equivocal words and poetical figures, and an elucidation of all the passages concerning history or fable. By Agostino Isola ... A new edition, etc

This edition of Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem Orlando Furioso was curated by Agostino Isola, an Italian teacher who resided in Cambridge during the late 18th century. Published for an audience of English-speaking students and scholars of Italian literature, the work serves as an annotated pedagogical tool designed to bridge the linguistic gap for those grappling with the complexities of Ariosto's Renaissance language. Isola’s contribution was essential for his time, as it offered specific clarifications on equivocal terms, historical allusions, and the mythological framework underpinning the poem's dense narrative structure.

The design of this edition reflects the scholarly priorities of late 18th-century classical printing, focusing on clarity of text accompanied by robust editorial notes. By providing an elucidation of historical and fabulous passages, the volume moved beyond a simple reprint, repositioning Ariosto’s 16th-century masterpiece as an accessible text for the enlightened reader. Its reception was marked by its utility in academic circles, establishing a legacy of scholarly engagement with Italian epic poetry within the British intellectual tradition.