The Song of Roland (La Chanson de Roland)

Vocabulary
Durendal - From the French word durer meaning to endure Oliphant - horn made out of elephant husk Rear guard - part of a military force that protects it from attack from the rear Hamartia tragic flaw ; istake or error in judgment

Characters
Roland the kings nephew; his right hand and renowned retainer; has a horn named Olifant whose distinctive blast can be recognized 30 leagues away. He has a sword namedDurendal and Angel Gabriel appears before him at critical moment to warn and to advise.In Italian version, he was called Orlando. In Spanish version, he was called Roldan. Charlemagne the king of France and the leader of crusades who favored Roland; in French history, he was known as Charles the Great

Ganelon Rolands stepfather who was the cause of destruction of Rolands army; conspires with the King Marsilla to destroy Roland Oliver Rolands bestfriend; brave but unlikeRoland, he was prudentbut blunt in his mannerand action King Marsilla the king who did the conspiracy with GanelonAlde the love interest of Roland

Plot
Marsilla sends out messengers to Charlemagne, promising treasure and Marsilla's conversion to Christianity if the Franks will go back to France. Charlemagne and his men accept this peace offer They need now to select a messenger to go back to Marsilla's court. The bold warrior Roland nominates his stepfather Ganelon.

Ganelon tells the Saracens how they could ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, which will surely be led by Roland Saracens ambush them at Roncesvalles, according to plan; the Christians are overwhelmed by their sheer numbers

Olivier asks Roland to blow on his oliphant, his horn made out of an elephant tusk, to call for help from the main body of the Frankish army. Almost all his men are dead and Roland knows that it's now too late for Charlemagne and his troops to save them, but he blows his oliphant anyway, so that the emperor can see what happened to his men and avenge them. When Charlemagne and his men reach the battlefield, they find only dead bodies. The pagans have fled, but the Franks pursue them, chasing them into the river Ebro, where they all drown.

 Baligant, has arrived in Spain to help his vassal Marsilla fend off the Frankish threat. Baligant and his enormous Muslim army ride after Charlemagne and his Christian army Charlemagne kills Baligant, all the pagan army scatter and fleeNow Saragossa has no defenders left; the Franks take the city. With Marsilla's wife Bramimonde, Charlemagne and his men ride back to Aix, their capital in sweet France.

Thierry, argues that, because Roland was serving Charlemagne when Ganelon delivered his revenge on him, Ganelon's action constitutes a betrayal of the emperor. Ganelon's friend Pinabel challenges Thierry to trial by combat By divine intervention(Angel Gabriel), Thierry, the weaker man, wins, killing Pinabel. The Franks are convinced by this of Ganelon's villainy and sentence him to a most painful death. The traitor is torn limb from limb by galloping horses and thirty of his relatives are hung for good measure.

Subject Matter: Customs Feudal relationships and feudal loyalties

Rolands hamartia: Rolands pursuit of glory gave tragic results of his recklessnes.Rolands desire for future military fame induced him to disregard the immediate crisis.Rolands choice to risk destruction rather than the possibility of being called a coward.

Themes:Right and truth triumph over the evil and sin.Gods will will manifest itself through combat or duet.