How did Matteo Maria Boiardo combine Arthurian and Carolingian traditions in Orlando innamorato?

Matteo Maria Boiardo’s Orlando innamorato is recognized as the first major work to successfully synthesize the Carolingian and Arthurian traditions of romance.1

Boiardo achieved this fusion by assimilating the traditional French epic material of the Charlemagne cycle—which focused on heroic military themes—with the spirit and narrative style of Arthurian prose romance. While the Carolingian tradition provided the foundational epic framework, Boiardo infused it with the characteristic elements of Arthurian literature, including:2

• Thematic Focus: He shifted the emphasis from purely martial duty to the worldly adventures and love intrigues typical of Arthurian narratives.2
• Narrative Style: The poem employs a sophisticated, lighthearted tone and utilizes the technique of multiple thematic structures and interweaving episodes, moving away from the classical concept of a single, unified theme.2
• Romantic Idealism: By incorporating elements such as tournaments, enchantments, and single combat, Boiardo transformed the traditional epic into a roman d’aventure that prioritized romantic sentiment alongside heroic feats.2

This innovative blend allowed Boiardo to revitalize the chivalrous epic, creating a new model that was later expanded upon by Ludovico Ariosto in his sequel, Orlando furioso.12