Act One

The action takes place near Jerusalem during the first of the eight Crusades, in the period 1095-1101. Goffredo leads his Christian armies toward Jerusalem, intent on capturing the city. He recalls his promising the hand of his daughter Almirena in marriage to the knight Rinaldo once Jerusalem is taken. The Saracen King Argante of Jerusalem appears and negotiates a three-day truce with Goffredo. The King then enlists the aid of the Sorceress-Queen of Damascus, Armida, who soon arrives in a dragon-drawn chariot. She assesses the King's desperate situation and decides to focus her plans on Rinaldo and Almirena as a means of halting the Christian advance, deciding to draw the former away from his military duties by abducting the latter and using her as bait. After Rinaldo learns of the kidnapping of Almirena, he swears revenge against her abductors. He also seeks advice from a hermit magician at the urging of Eustazio, Goffredo's brother.

Act Two

While searching for Almirena at a seashore, Rinaldo, Goffredo, and Eustazio see mermaids at play. Soon a spirit, appearing as a beautiful woman, induces Rinaldo to board a boat despite the attempts of his companions to restrain him. He sails off into the distance, headed toward the palace of Armida.

Almirena is being held captive there, fending off the advances of the persistent King Argante. When Rinaldo arrives, Armida is overjoyed and makes overtures to him. He rejects her. In her resourcefulness, however, she transforms her appearance to that of Almirena, but the trick ultimately does not fool him. (In the 1731 revised version, Armida merely imitates Almirena's voice.) Argante soon appears and believes Armida is Almirena, and thus resumes making advances to her, offering to set her free if she acquiesces to them. But his promises and scheming only precipitate a clash with Armida, who makes her identity known to him. (In the revised version a quarrel breaks out when Armida observes Argante admiring Almirena's portrait.)

Act Three

Goffredo and Eustazio consult with the hermit magician who had advised Rinaldo at the end of the first act. He directs them to Armida's palace, warning them of the monstrous creatures guarding it, but giving them magic wands to overcome them. Meanwhile, Armida is about to kill Almirena, but Rinaldo intervenes and raises his sword to strike down Armida, but is prevented by the Furies.

Goffredo and Eustazio ascend the mountain upon which the palace rests and, arriving at the enchanted building, tap their wands against its gate. The mountain vanishes and eventually the palace, as well, leaving the scene in the desert outside Jerusalem. Rinaldo and Goffredo prepare to do battle, and Armida and Argante reconcile and make provision for attack. Both the pagan forces and the Christian forces march in review before their respective leaders, then do battle with each other. The Christian army wins out and Argante and Armida are captured. Both embrace Christianity, are pardoned, and make plans to marry. (In the revised version, they flee on a chariot, remaining loyal to their pagan beliefs.)

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