The action of the epic follows her movements.

She combines the parts of Angelica and Alcina in one that is original and novel.

A sorceress, deputed by the powers of hell to defeat the arms of the crusaders, Armida falls herself in love with a Christian champion.

Love changes her from a beautiful white witch into a woman.[76] When she meets Rinaldo in the battle, she discharges all her arrows vainly at the man who has deserted her.

One by one, they fly and fall; and as they wing their flight, Love wounds her own heart with his shafts: Scocca I' arco piu volte, e non fa piaga E, mentre ella saetta, amor lei piaga (xx.