Florante at Laura Summary in English

Was humming Rolando Tinio’s “Minsan Pa” when I reached the word Kundangan (If It Were Not For), and after a trip to Google, stumbled upon the e-text version of Florante at Laura, the great Tagalog epic written by Francisco Balagtas, as painstakingly typed into text form by May Lim and Arlene Lim.

DISCLAIMER: Accuracy of the Florante at Laura summary / study notes is NOT guaranteed. Study at your own risk.

1. The song/story opens with Florante (son of Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca) bound to a tree, in a forest outside the Kingdom of Albania. Surrounding Florante are two lions getting ready to pounce on him.

2. Fortunately, walking in the forest is Aladin, a young moor from Persia and son of Sultan Ali-Adab. He left his kingdom because he felt bad about his dad who stole the love of Aladin’s sweetheart, Flerida.

3. He hears Florante crying out about the injustices committed in Albania, the murder of the King and his allies, and the (supposed) betrayal of Laura (Florante’s sweetheart). Aladin finds Florante and kills the two lions before they could pounce.

4. Aladin frees Florante and watches him throughout the night. The following morning, he asks Florante why he was bound to a tree, and whatever the heck he was doing in the forest.

(Okay, time for a flashback…)

5. Florante recounts that he was sent to study in Athens when he was 11 years old. There he met his kababayan Adolfo, who is the son of Count Sileno. Adolfo was admired by his teachers and ten of his classmates, because Adolfo was kind and highly intelligent.

6. After six years, however, Florante surpassed Adolfo, and in the process exposed Adolfo’s true character. This was especially seen when, during a play, Adolfo tried to really hack Florante (instead of following the script). Fortunately, Florante was saved by Menandro, the nephew of the teacher Antenor. The following day, Adolfo was sent back to Albania.

(The play was about Eteocles and Polyneices, the sons of Oedipus and Jocasta. Check out Seven Against Thebes)

Eteocles
http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/thebes.html#Eteocles

Seven Against Thebes
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0844562.html

7. Florante stayed in Athens for one more year before receiving a letter from his father stating that Florante’s mother died. After two more months, he received another letter urging Florante to return home to Albania.

8. Upon returning home, Florante receives a plea for help from the king of Krotona, whose kingdom was being invaded by the Persian army of General Osmalik. Duke Briseo introduced Florante to King Linceo, and Florante was made commander of the defending army of Krotona.

9. In the palace, Florante meets King Linceo’s lovely daughter Laura, and decides to let her know his feelings for her before he goes to battle.

10. Florante goes to war and defeats General Osmalik in five hours. Florante stays in Krotona for five more months.

11. He misses Laura so much so he returns to Albania. Upon his arrival, he is astonished to see a Moro flag waving over his land. He is shocked to witness a woman about to be beheaded. Florante fights the Persian army (led by Aladin!), liberates Albania, and frees King Linceo, Duke Briseo and Adolfo from the dungeon.

12. Miramolin invades Albania again, but Florante is able to repulse the attack. Seventeen kings surrender to Florante.

13. I don’t know why Florante goes to Etolia (probably took a break from all those wars!), but he receives a letter one day from the King, urging him to return to Albania.

Etolia
http://www.gtp.gr/LocPage.asp?id=60003

14. Florante returns to Albania, only to be captured by a 30,000-strong army of Albania (they were probably that insecure given the military record of Florante), and was promptly sent to the dungeons. Adolfo led the coup and killed King Linceo and Duke Briseo while Florante was away.

15. Florante stays in jail for 18 days, and then is ordered tied to a tree in the forest so that he will be ravaged by the wild animals. He was there for 2 days before Aladin chances upon him.

16. Enough of the flashback. Now it’s time for Aladin to tell his own story.

17. Aladin is the son of the sultan of Persia, Ali-Adab. Aladin wandered into the forest because he was depressed over the fact that his father stole Aladin’s significant other, Flerida. (Sounds like the movie Damage starring Jeremy Irons)

18. To have the young lass for himself, the sultan looked for reasons to punish Aladin. He castigated Aladin for leaving the Persian army, and blamed him for the victory Florante achieved over the Persian army at Albania (see #11 above).

19. For the “crimes” of Aladin, the sultan orders his own son beheaded. The sentence was not carried out, though, because that evening Aladin was suddenly ordered banished instead. Aladin was also warned not to ever return to Persia if he valued his life.

20. Aladin has been aimlessly wandering around for 6 years now.

21. While Florante and Aladin were exchanging stories, they overhear two women.

Woman #1: “When I heard that my jailed boyfriend was going to be beheaded, I agreed to marry his father the Sultan just to spare his life. Fortunately, my boyfriend was freed. But that same night, I disguised myself as a soldier and escaped. I’ve been wandering for so many years before finding you here in the forest.”

(You probably can guess why Florante and Aladin were so happy, right?)

22. Laura relates to Flerida what happened in Albania while Florante was away: Adolfo usurping the throne, the beheading of the King and his allies. She also said that she tried to send a letter to Florante to let him know about the events in Albania.

(Note: The letter Florante received was from the “King” and it urged him to return to Albania. This was Adolfo’s way of capturing Florante. Anyway, let’s continue with Laura’s story…)

23. Adolfo professes his love to Laura. Laura asks for 5 months to think it over. Since Adolfo could not win the heart of Laura, he decides to rape Laura… in the forest. Just two days after ordering Florante tied to a tree. Just 20 days after capturing Florante. Nope, he won’t give Laura 5 months. Not even one month.

24. Conveniently, Flerida was in the forest. She sees Adolfo about to do his evil deed and shoots him with arrows until he dies.

25. Anyway, the four lovers all meet and try to catch up on old times. They were still, uhm, chatting when they are found by Menandro and his army who was out searching for Adolfo.

26. The army rejoices when they find out that Florante and Laura are still alive. Yes, they were really just chatting in the forest.

27. Not long after, Florante and Laura marry and rule Albania as King and Queen. Aladin and Flerida get baptized (huh? possible hole in the plot), marry, and then return to Persia to rule their land. The end. Florante at Laura. Bow.

DISCLAIMER: Accuracy of the above study notes is NOT guaranteed. Study at your own risk.

Sometimes, the connections on the web can be quite serendipitous, don’t you think?

(Florante at Laura, some say, is like Romeo and Juliet. Only with a happy ending. Hmmm… sounds like a Disney movie.)

Nov 12, 2002 Update: If you landed on this page because you were searching for “Florante at Laura”, please send me feedback on what kind of info about F&L you are particularly interested in. Is it the summary? An analysis? Please be specific so that I’ll know what to work on (assuming enough people are interested).

Lots of people have been asking for a SCRIPT of Florante at Laura. Sorry, but I don’t have any script.

[For those who emailed wondering why the summary is in English, and who also commented that it would be better if it is in Tagalog, then here's the buod ng Florante at Laura]

First posted on Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

38 Comments »

38 Responses to “Florante at Laura Summary in English”

  1. on 12 Dec 2008 at 7:43 am 1Buod ng Florante at Laura - Viloria.net

    [...] (Here, on the other hand, is the English summary of Florante at Laura.) [...]

  2. on 14 Dec 2008 at 6:32 pm 2Secret

    Thanks so much for posting this. It was really helpful and it’s very accurate too. When I read the original Florante at Laura I couldn’t understand it because of all the flashbacks. Good job!

  3. on 12 Jan 2009 at 10:54 am 3bon_bhelle08

    mag-isip kayo………hahahaha………

  4. on 15 Jan 2009 at 2:50 pm 4Dexter

    kelangan ko ng analysis or book review ng florante at laura. Pls work on it.

  5. on 27 Jan 2009 at 6:43 pm 5ms. twilight

    Thank you for that ‘NOT GUARANTEED’ synopsis of Florante at Laura. It’s a big help in my assignment in Literature. However, I need a significant line from the story, a very important line that could give some realizations. Please..who could help me please…

  6. on 08 Feb 2009 at 10:54 pm 6gilakaka

    thanks….

  7. on 12 Feb 2009 at 7:49 pm 7asiandoll

    i love this love story…i remember way back when i was in high school, we have studied “florante at laura” :)

  8. on 21 Feb 2009 at 2:19 pm 8♥gothic_angel15♥

    aus aa.
    enge aman aku ng pnka script ng FLORANTE AT LAURA!
    d ung BUOD!
    slamat!
    ♥♥♥

    i nid it por skul play ee.
    tnxx.

  9. on 07 Mar 2009 at 6:10 pm 9matthew ray t. c......

    the story is very nice. And i am so happy that i found this b coz
    i used this in our english report…..
    tnx a lot.

  10. on 08 Mar 2009 at 7:09 pm 10zhao

    in the ending, aladin and flerida baptized and convert to christians, it is quite irony that the whole muslim empire turn to christian, but actually it is use to amuse the spaniard preist inspectors in that time to allow the publication of this novel. (in that time most of the tagalog writing are not allow.).

    this story also reflect the society that balagtas live in,the society of cruelty and unjust, he did well that his work can come out without notice by colonist spaniards.

  11. on 11 Mar 2009 at 3:07 pm 11heartnie mecco jhu

    hi for each in every my name is sweetheart mecco jhu ……. i am happy to read the selection of florante and laura,and its because this is our project ……………………..and i love the story very much……………

  12. on 14 Mar 2009 at 9:34 pm 12genny

    hi, love d story!!!

    for those who ask abt d script of it… why dont u mke ur own script,,??!!
    dont depend on others,,,
    =)

    xxx

  13. on 16 Mar 2009 at 10:49 pm 13miles

    you saved my life.:D wahahaha. ang cool naman. exams na namen,saktong sakto.xD

  14. on 17 Mar 2009 at 3:19 pm 14Katherine Michelle

    This Sooo Helped Me Study For My Quarterly Exam.
    You See, I`m REALLY BAD At Filipino :| =))

    Many Thanks!
    - Katherine Michelle -

  15. on 19 Mar 2009 at 4:28 pm 15Clarence

    Does anybody know where to get a florante at laura the movie? Pls. reply quick cause I’ve got only a few days to pass it. It would be a great help.

  16. on 23 Mar 2009 at 7:24 pm 16chong84

    tnx bro… this may help in our last exam… happy summer!! wwooot!!!!

  17. on 02 Jun 2009 at 5:45 pm 17tess

    i love your summary. i like your sense of humor….. may i request a verse-by-verse english translation….if this is not asking too much. thanks

  18. on 07 Jun 2009 at 7:48 pm 18pRiNcEsS_545

    Tnx poh……. laking tulong nito 4 the 2nd yr. Caracians!!! Luv yah guyz…………..section PASTEUR da bezt!!! # 1………….

  19. on 07 Jun 2009 at 7:52 pm 19pRiNcEsS_545

    Elow….sa mga taga Surigao City Science High School………. lalo na sa Section pAsTeUr………lalo na sa cute na c Renah………hahaha

  20. on 12 Jun 2009 at 10:17 pm 20David

    arf!!!!!!! xD

    hhmm… enge nman nG script TT ng FLorAnte at LaurA =))

    ^tnx^ Amen :m

  21. on 02 Jul 2009 at 8:52 am 21Leaonheartise

    Finally! Now I understand it much better than before.

  22. on 07 Jul 2009 at 7:48 am 22sky scraper

    i need a conflict of this short story.

  23. on 15 Jul 2009 at 6:50 pm 23unKnowN??

    TY sa summary!!!

  24. on 16 Jul 2009 at 1:03 pm 24brands_08

    …hay..nana jko project…hi xa mga tga cebu,,,

  25. on 21 Jul 2009 at 4:19 pm 25"+LiL_CrImE+"

    “+oY penge ako ng kopya ng florante at LaUrA pls……..

    “+kailangan ko lang sa school pls….lang

    “+ghe tnx…. bye

  26. on 04 Aug 2009 at 1:21 pm 26demiy

    hi…. the story is nice… your so cute in presenting data to us regarding the story….. jeejejejeje… nakakatawa ang pagsulat mo ng ending…. ajejeje… may pabow bow pa… hindi tuloy sya nakakabagot… natawa tuloy ako…. have a nice day…..!!!!!

  27. on 14 Aug 2009 at 1:45 pm 27vince

    wow…ty.. exam namin ngayun….loser kasi aq sa filipino eh…

  28. on 18 Aug 2009 at 1:07 pm 28twinklebell

    haha. Thanks so much for posting this!

    Our F&L exam is tomorrow and I’m a loser in Filipino.
    haha

    Anyway, thanks so much for posting. Really helped. :D

  29. on 21 Aug 2009 at 4:19 pm 29caramela

    thanks, for the very nice summary

  30. on 31 Aug 2009 at 12:27 pm 30..+_'mZ_kiZzeZ_'+..

    aAhmf..
    ..thnX..
    ..xa..
    ..summary..
    ..it..
    ..reaLly..
    ..heLp..
    ..me..
    ..a..
    ..Lot..

  31. on 02 Sep 2009 at 6:59 pm 31Shannen

    thanks for the summary but i would appreciate it more if you have a stanza by stanza translation =D anyways, it helped me a lot.

  32. on 06 Sep 2009 at 12:54 am 32NENE

    ANO ANG IBIG SABIHIN NG SAKNONG 102

  33. on 24 Sep 2009 at 2:57 pm 33Kiara

    Thank you for this! It’s a really big help! I’ve been trying to read the original Tagalog version but I couldn’t understand a single word since I don’t really speak in Tagalog well. Stupid deep Tagalog words.

  34. on 14 Oct 2009 at 10:43 pm 34Laura

    hi, to all those people who wanted a script for Florante at Laura, you can visit bookstores and ask for comics about florante at laura. it’s cheap plus you have the script, plus the pictures!! :D good luck! BTW: thanks so much for the summary, it helped me a lot… :3 i hope that next time you can put some important term to be remembered at the end of each summary :D

  35. on 18 Oct 2009 at 1:23 pm 35adan

    kalog ba kayo naturingan pa kayong google weak naman

  36. on 03 Nov 2009 at 11:19 am 36florant at laura

    im sory i dont understand anything

  37. on 05 Nov 2009 at 11:09 pm 37me

    Thanks so very much for this summary. i might actually excel in Fil this quarter round :) i commend your fluency in english btw, more so when i saw you had a tagalog version as well. keep up the good work!
    and btw my comment aint spammy!

  38. on 06 Nov 2009 at 6:54 am 38Viloria.net

    @Laura – Thanks for the feedback about end of the chapter talasalitaan. Please see
    http://www.pinoylit.com/archives/category/florante-at-laura/

    @florant at laura – Please post your specific questions, and we’ll see how we can help you.

    @me – Thanks! Good luck with your studies! :-)

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