9 Circles of Hell (Dante's Inferno)

Inferno, the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy that

inspired the latest Dan Brown's bestseller of the same title
describes the poet's vision of Hell. The story begins with
the narrator (who is the poet himself) being lost in a dark
wood where he is attacked by three beasts which he
cannot escape. He is rescued by the Roman poet Virgil
who is sent by Beatrice (Dante's ideal woman). Together,
they begin the journey into the underworld or the 9 Circles
of Hell.

First Circle (Limbo)

Dante and Virgil among the gluttons

Dante among the great poets of antiquity in Limbo
Dante’s First Circle of Hell is resided by virtuous non-
Christians and unbaptized pagans who are punished with
eternity in an inferior form of Heaven. They live in a
castle with seven gates which symbolize the seven virtues.
Here, Dante sees many prominent people from classical
antiquity such as Homer, Socrates, Aristotle, Cicero,
Hippocrates, and Julius Caesar
When reaching the Third Circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil
find souls of gluttons who are overlooked by a worm-
monster Cerberus. Sinners in this circle of Hell are
punished by being forced to lie in a vile slush that is
produced by never-ending icy rain. The vile slush
symbolizes personal degradation of one who overindulges
in food, drink, and otherworldly pleasures, while the
inability to see others lying nearby represents the gluttons’
selfishness and coldness. Here, Dante speaks to a
character called Ciacco who also tells him that the
Guelphs (a fraction supporting the Pope) will defeat and
expel the Ghibellines (a fraction supporting the Emperor
to which Dante adhered) from Florence which happened
in 1302 before the poem was written (after 1308).
Fourth Circle (Greed)

Second Circle (Lust)

Punishment of the Avaricious and the Prodigal

Paolo kissing Francesca
In the Second Circle of Hell, Dante and his companion
Virgil find people who were overcome by lust. They are
punished by being blown violently back and forth by
strong winds, preventing them from finding peace and
rest. Strong winds symbolize the restlessness of a person
who is led by the desire for fleshly pleasures. Again,
Dante sees many notable people from history and
mythology including Cleopatra, Tristan, Helen of Troy,
and others who were adulterous during their lifetime.
In the Fourth Circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil see the souls
of people who are punished for greed. They are divided
into two groups – those who hoarded possessions and
those who lavishly spent it – jousting. They use great
weights as a weapon, pushing it with their chests which
symbolizes their selfish drive for fortune during their
lifetime. The two groups that are guarded by a character
called Pluto (probably the ancient Greek ruler of the
underworld) are so occupied with their actions that the
two poets don’t try to speak to them. Here, Dante says to
see many clergymen including cardinals and popes.

Third Circle (Gluttony)

Fifth Circle (Anger)
Phlegyas ferries Dante and Virgil across the river Styx
The Fifth Circle of Hell is where the wrathful and sullen
are punished for their sins. Transported on a boat by
Phlegyas, Dante and Virgil see the furious fighting each
other on the surface of the river Styx and the sullen
gurgling beneath the surface of the water. Again, the
punishment reflects the type of sin committed during their
lifetime. While passing through, the poets are approached
by Filippo Argenti, a prominent Florentine politician who
confiscated Dante’s property after his expulsion from
Florence.
Sixth Circle (Heresy)
Dante and Virgil among the heretics
When reaching the Sixth Circle of Hell, Dante and Virgil
see heretics who are condemned to eternity in flaming
tombs. Here, Dante talks with a couple of Florentines –
Farinata degli Uberti and Cavalcante de’ Cavalcanti – but
he also sees other notable historical figures including the
ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, Holy Roman
Emperor Frederick II, and Pope Anastasius II. The latter,
however, is according to some modern scholars
condemned by Dante as a heretic by mistake. Instead, as
some scholars argue, the poet probably meant the
Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I.
Seventh Circle (Violence)
Centaurs patrolling the violent against others
The Seventh Circle of Hell is divided into three rings. The
Outer Ring houses murderers and others who were violent
to other people and property. Here, Dante sees Alexander
the Great (disputed), Dionysius I of Syracuse, Guy de
Montfort, and many other notable historical and
mythological figures such as the Centaurus, sank into a
river of boiling blood and fire. In the Middle Ring, the
poet sees suicides who have been turned into trees and
bushes which are fed upon by harpies. But he also sees
here profligates, chased and torn to pieces by dogs. In the
Inner Ring are blasphemers and sodomites, residing in a
desert of burning sand and burning rain falling from the
sky.
Eighth Circle (Fraud)
Geryon
The Eighth Circle of Hell is resided by the fraudulent.
Dante and Virgil reach it on the back of Geryon, a flying
monster with different natures, just like the fraudulent.
This circle of Hell is divided into 10 Bolgias or stony
ditches with bridges between them. In Bolgia 1, Dante
sees panderers and seducer. In Bolgia 2 he finds
flatterers. After crossing the bridge to Bolgia 3, he and
Virgil see those who are guilty of simony. After crossing
another bridge between the ditches to Bolgia 4, they find
sorcerers and false prophets. In Bolgia 5 are housed
corrupt politicians, in Bolgia 6 are hypocrites and in the
remaining 4 ditches, Dante finds hypocrites (Bolgia 7),
thieves (Bolgia 7), evil counselors and advisers (Bolgia
8), divisive individuals (Bolgia 9), and various falsifiers
such as alchemists, perjurers, and counterfeits (Bolgia 10).
Ninth Circle (Treachery)

Satan
The last Ninth Circle of Hell is divided into 4 Rounds
according to the seriousness of the sin. Though all
residents are frozen in an icy lake. Those who committed
more severe sin are deeper within the ice. Each of the 4
Rounds is named after an individual who personifies the
sin. Thus Round 1 is named Caina after Cain who killed
his brother Abel, Round 2 is named Antenora after
Anthenor of Troy who was Priam’s counselor during the
Trojan War, Round 3 is named Ptolomaea after Ptolemy
(son of Abubus), while Round 4 is named Judecca after
Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Questions & Answers
Why did Dante write the Inferno?
Dante wrote the Inferno to encourage readers and teach
religious truths. In the Inferno, Dante imagines himself
traveling through Hell to reach “the nation of the blessed”
(Heaven). He then writes about that journey, despite how
dark and unpleasant it was, “to reveal the good that came
to me.” Clearly, Dante’s goal in the Inferno is not to tell
an exciting tale but rather to urge readers to undertake
their own faith journeys, trusting in divine aid to guide
them. That Dante pauses his narrative at times to point out
its meaning to readers underscores that the goal of
the Inferno is to teach spiritual realities.
Who is Virgil?
Virgil (70-19 BCE) was a Roman poet living during the
reign of Caesar Augustus and Dante’s guide in
the Inferno. Because Aeneas, the Aeneid’s eponymous
hero, obeyed the gods and acted justly, Virgil gained a
reputation for wisdom and virtue; this reputation prompts
the poet Dante, writing about his imagined trip through
Hell, to select Virgil as his moral teacher. Dante also
selects Virgil due to the love and respect he has for the
Roman. Seeing Virgil as his artistic mentor, Dante calls
him the “honor and light of every poet.” The friendship
between the two poets gives Dante the courage to face the
terrors of Hell.
What are the circles of Hell in Dante’s Inferno?
Hell in Dante’s Inferno is a series of concentric rings
—“small and smaller / as you go down”—and sinners are
placed in particular rings based on the kinds of sin they
committed. The upper rings contain sinners guilty of a
lack of control in relation to things such as sex, food, and
money. Deeper rings contain sinners guilty of intentional
injustices. The violent come first, including sinners who
behave violently toward neighbors, themselves, or God.
Next come the fraudulent; because only human beings are
capable of fraud, it is punished more severely. In the
lowest circle of all are sinners guilty of treason, a
particularly reprehensible kind of fraud.
Who is Minos in Dante’s Inferno?
One of Hell’s many monsters, Minos sits at the entryway
to Hell; there, he “weighs all the sins and sends the wicked
down” to the appropriate level. He initially determines
where a sinner belongs by listening to the sinner share his
life story, and then wraps his tail around himself “as many
times / as there are grades a sinner must descend,”
indicating which level of Hell a sinner belongs in. Minos
initially tries to turn Dante away from Hell altogether,
because Dante is still living, but Virgil insists, as it is
God’s will that Dante pass through Hell. 
Who is in charge of Hell?
While Hell seems to be ruled by the demons and monsters
who dwell there, Dante is clear that Heaven has final say
over what happens in Hell. Lucifer is described as
“emperor of the reign of misery,” and the breeze from his
wings freezes the lowest levels of Hell. Yet Lucifer is
himself frozen, and he is not in charge. Other monsters,
such as the demons and Minos, determine the placement
of each sinner and carry out the assigned torments. Yet
these monstrous creatures are also punished in Hell; the
demons, for instance, fall into the same boiling tar where
the sinners are imprisoned. In the end, the only entity with
absolute power is Heaven itself. Dante states clearly that
“divine omnipotence created” Hell, and now, divine
power gets Dante through Hell, as even the mention of
Heaven’s will is enough to silence the monsters who
threaten Dante. Thus, Heaven has the final victory over
death and Hell.
EXPANDED DEFINITIONS
- a one or more paragraphs that attempt to explain a
complex term
An expanded definition starts with a full definition of a
term that is one sentence definition and then expand to at
least one paragraph or more.
FULL DEFINITIONS
Pattern 1
(Term – Class – Distinguishing Characteristics)
Carbohydrates are a food group including sugars,
starches, and cellulose.
Pattern 2
 (Class – Distinguishing Characteristics – Term) 1. Introduction
It introduces the problem and gives the
A food group including sugars, starches, and cellulose is background information needed for the argument
carbohydrates. and the thesis statement.
2. Body
Parts of a Definition The body of the essay contains the reasons. Each
paragraph talks about one reason. The reason is
 Term – refers to the word or phrase that is being
included in the topic sentence and is supported by
defined. details or materials. These supporting materials can
 General Class – refers to the class where the term be examples, statistics, personal experiences, or
belongs. quotations.
 Distinguishing Characteristics – distinguishing 3. Conclusion
trait, quality, or property. The conclusion restates the main claim and gives
one or two general statements which exactly
Example: summarize the arguments and support the main
premise.
An Algorithm is a finite description of a finite number of
steps required to accomplish some well-defined task. INTRODUCTION must have a hook to make the stand a
mystery/to make the audience interest about the argument.
4 Types of Hook
Full Definitons with Expanded Definitions
Question Hook - questions
Carbohydrates are a food group including Quotation Hook - quote
sugars, starches, and cellulose. Carbohydrates can also Statistical Hook - numbers, etc.
be defined chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, Anecdotal Hook - experiences
hydrogen and oxygen. The body breaks down most sugars
Thesis Statement
and starches into glucose, a simple sugar that the body can
- presents the topic and summarize the main point it
use to feed its cells. Dietary intake of complex
interprets of a question or subject but not the
carbohydrates can lower blood cholesterol when they are
subject itself.
substituted for saturated fat. - It expressed opinion, it is more specific it past and
Carbohydrates are classified into mono, di, tri, how and white task and answers, how and why we
poly and heterosaccharides. The smallest carbohydrates act on a certain issue.
are monosaccharides such as glucose whereas  Thesis is a central or main idea of the essay and it
contains the main idea itself.
polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose and glycogen can
be large and even indeterminate in length. Steps how to find or write a Thesis Statement of an
Argumentative Essay
Various ways of Giving Expanded Definitions
 It should start with a general statement
a. Description  Had mostly the word "because" (to prove)
b. Process Narration  Add three details that support your opinion.
c. Additional Definition
d. Historical Background Introduction
e. Cause/Causes Hook
f. Effects, Results, Consequence Context of the Topic
g. Problem-Solution Thesis (Summarize in 1 Sentence, it can be found at the
h. Statistics end of the paragraph after the context/ supporting details
i. Uses, Applications are proved.
j. Similarities, Difference, Analogies
k. Classes, Types, Categories Example:
l. Examples Birth order can strongly affect one's relationship
m. Etymology with parents relationship with others and how one views
n. Negatives responsibilities as an adult.
o. Advantages, Disadvantages
Conclusion
Argumentative Essay - last part or the end of a or the result.
An argumentative essay tries to change the reader’s mind
by convincing the reader to agree with the writer’s point How to write it
of view. - 3 to 5 sentences
- establish final sentence
CHARACTERISTICS - the answer of the hook –
- presents and explains the issue or case - Contains significance example
- gives reasons and supports these reasons to prove
Thesis: Dogs are better than cats
its point
Paraphrase: Dogs make the best pets in the world
- refutes (proves wrong) opposing arguments.
 attempts to be highly persuasive and logical
What is a topic outline?
 It usually assumes that the reader disagrees with the
- It organize ideas and thoughts visualize ideas and
writer, but it should be noted that the reader is no less
guide organizing list of ideas and thoughts skeleton
intelligent than the writer.
of any text and it serves as a guide in organizing
 should be written objectively and logically
your ideas

Parts Example:
Outline Topic  presents an assertion as to whether something is
I. Helps you visualize ideas good or bad
A. Does not get crowded  is one concept or idea better than another?
B. Flexible  Emphasizes and weighs the benefits of the subject
i. Accomodate multiple main ideas and matter
details a. including quotations and  Is also debatable in nature
explanation
II. Helps Organize ideas
A. "Good" writing not needed Claim of Policy
1. No comple sentences
2. Paragraph  Supports that an action should or should not be
3. Transitions are not necessary done to address a certain case or policy
 Further indicates that an action should be carried
B. One Focus: Structure out either in support or in opposition of a
particular argument
To Make an Outline
1. Main Idea
A. Supporting Details
1. Details/ Information Sonnet
a. Additional - a poem that consists of 14 lines written in iambic
pentameter
Roman Numerical - Identify main Ideas - derived from the Italian word "sonneto", meaning
Capital Letters - presents supporting details Numbers - "a little sound or song".
details/information about the topic Small Letters - are
additional information about the topic Types of Sonnets
Three Specific Types of Questions: 2. Petrarchan - named after the italian poet Francesco
Questions of Fact are those which ask you to answer Petrarch, a lyrical poet of 14th century italy
whether or not something is. These questions are always - consist of 14 lines divided into subgroups an
answered with either “Yes” or “No” and then you must octave and a sestet
construct paragraphs to support the facts. - the set set follows one of two rhyme scheme either
CDE CDE scheme or CDC CDC scheme
Example: Is the wall blue? (Yes or No, and then your
- the octave follows the rhyme scheme ABBA
evidence)
ABBA
Questions of Value address the relative merit (goodness
or badness) of something. Here you are usually asked to 3. Shakesperean - evolved in England during and
choose between things, ideas, beliefs, or actions and around the time of the Elizabeth era.
explain why you did so. - sometimes referred to as Elizabethan sonnets or
Example: Which is more valuable, love or money? English sonnets
(Which and then why?) - half 14 lines divided into four subgroups three
quatrains and a couplet
Questions of Policy ask the writer to explain what they
- each line is typically ten syllables, phrased in
would do. The key word in these topics is usually
“should” as in “what should we do...?” The question asks iambic pentameter
the writer to make a plan of action to solve some sort of - employs the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF
problem. The answer is a breakdown of the plan and a GG
justification that it fixes the problem.
4. Spenserian - a variation of the Shakesperean
Example: What should be done to combat the drug
sonnet, with a more challenging rhyme scheme:
problem? (Plan and justify.)
ABAB BCBC CDCD EE

5. Miltonic - an evolution of Shakespearean sonnets

CLAIMS OF FACT, POLICY, VALUE
What is Claims?
Iambic Pentameter
- A clear assetion of a person’s ideas, opinions, or
propositions - a line that contains five iambs - two syllable pairs
- may serve the purpose of convincing or persuading in which the second syllable is stressed
readers or a specific audience to agree with a
specific stand or rationale on an issue Example: Consider the opening line of
Shakespeare's "Sonnet 130" - My mistress' eyes
Claim of Fact are nothing like the sun
 can be proven or disproved with the help of
factual evidence
 debatable yet verifiable Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)
- Italian poet, humanist, and scholar
- Best known for lyric poetry, Canzoniere
Claim of Value - Founder of humanism
- First modern man
 - Longing for fame and permanence
- Loved classical period
Three Sonnets from Canzoniere:
The White Doe
Theme: Pursuing after a love that cannot happen.
PLOT
Exposition: A pure white doe appeared to the author’s
sight under a tree between two streams.
Characters:
 White doe – has gold antlers, elluring elusive
 The speaker/author – persistent, easily-drawn
Setting: In a forest at sunrise
Rising action: The author was mesmerized by the animal’s
beauty that he abandoned his work to follow it
Climax: He then realized that the white doe was already in
possession of someone with higher authority and does not
wish to be touched.
Falling action: It was already noontime yet satisfaction
didn’t come to the author. He grew tired.
Resolution: In the end, he fell to the stream and the white
doe suddenly disappeared.
Moral Lesson: Be adventurous in life for you might find
your “white doe”. But at the same time, be realistic and
understand one’s priorities in life.
Why is it entitled that way?
- White doe is more that just an animal, a female
deer specifically. It portrays the innocence and
magnificence of a woman that captivated the
author’s eyes, heart, and soul and that made him
leave his wok to pursue her.
ANALYSIS
Title: The title itself contains imagery and symbolism.
Mood & Tone: The mood of the sonnet is magical but at
the same time disconsolate. The tone is awe and
melancholy.
Form of the Poem: Petrarchan (Italian)
Structural Characteristics: Octave & Sestet
Literary Devices used:
Imagery – emerald glaze, topaz, diamond stone, sun
Symbolism – white doe
Simile – miser looking for treasure
Spring
Theme: Acceptance and Moving Forward
PLOT
Exposition: Spring return and flowers bloom as well as his
love for her.
Characters:
 Zephyr – west wind, bringer of light spring.
 The speaker/author – disappointed yet contented
Setting: In a grassy field
Rising Action: Amaze and captured by the fields and skies
for the first time
Climax: He the realized that love really possesses every
living things
Falling action: Until the spring ends and it only returns
heavy sighs
Resolution: In the end, she still hold the keys in his heart.
Moral Lesson: Acceptance is the key to move on and
moving does not mean you will forget everything about
someone who passed away. Memories stay in our hearts,
you just need to let yourself move forward.
Why is it entitled that way?
- Spring is the end of winter and the beginning of
wonderful things.
- Spring gives us the beautiful scenery that we will
never forget.
- Even if the spring is ending, the beautiful
memories it offers still stays in our hearts and mind
forever.
ANALYSIS
Title: The title itself contains imagery and symbolism.
Mood & Tone: The mood of the sonnet is astonished. The
tone of the sonnet is fascinated.
Form of the Poem: Petrarchan (Italian)
Structure Characteristics: Octave & Sestet
Literary Devices Oxymoron – sweet despair
 Allegory – about the life of the author
 Allusion – there is connection to the story of
Procne and Philomela
Laura
Theme: Admiring and loving the same person even if the
appearance had change over time.
Plot
Exposition: The author describes Laura and how the lady
looked before.
Character:
 Laura – golden-haired, bright eyes, angelic, divine
Rising Action: The author began to compare Laura’s
appearance before and now.
Climax: Times have passed and Laura has changed. She
didn’t look the same anymore. Mabe because she grew
older.
Falling Action: Nevertheless, she is still beautiful in the
eyes of Petrarch. “Divine among the dreary folk”
Resolution: No matter Laura looks like, the same wound
on his heart would still bleed on.
Moral Lesson: Not everyone will love you like the way
you love them. But keep loving.
Why is it entitled that way?
- Laura was the name of the love of Petrarch’s life.
This poem and the whole Canzoniere was
dedicated to her. For her, he perfected the sonnets.
ANALYSIS
Title: The title depicts a woman that is very close to the
author’s heart.
Mood & Tone: The mood of the sonnet is passionate and
the tone is nostalgia.
Form of the Poem: Petrarchan (Italian)
Structural Characteristics: Octave & Sestet
Literary Devices used:
Imagery – golden hair, unearthly voices sang
Metaphor – eyes brighter than radiant west
Reference:
https://prezi.com/p/tlhjggyfx2iy/the-white-doe-spring-and-
laura/
The Song of Roland
The Emperor Charlemagne, so the 900-year old French
epic poem, The Song of Roland, relates, has driven the
Saracens from Spain. It is only in Saragosa that King
Marsilion still rules. He sends a message to Charlemagne,
falsely promising that he will become a Christian if only
the Emperor will leave Spain. But Charlemagne does not
trust him and decides an envoy must go to the king. His
valiant nephew Roland offers to go, so does Roland’s
friend Oliver. Charlemagne refuses, so Roland suggests
his step-father, Count Ganelon, who becomes engaged and
accuses Roland of trying to bring out his death. But he
accepts the Emperor’s command and prepares to go.
Ganelon decided that, as he had to go, he would start at
once. After he had been given a letter by Charlemagne, he
girded on his sword, and mounted his horse. His knights
had been saddened by his rage at the Court, for they
honoured him, and offered to go with him. But he waved
them away.
Count Ganelon rode furiously to catch up with King
Marsilion’s messenger, Blancadrin, who had left
Charlemagne’s court before him. When he found him, the
two rode along talking carefully to test out each other’s
loyalty.
“Your Emperor now has a vast Empire. Why does he want
Spain as well?” asked Blancardin when the two men are
resting. “Is he never satisfied?” “Never,” answered Count
Ganelon. “He is ill-advised by the French, then?” said
Blancadrin cunningly, for there was more of a question
than a statement in the manner he spoke. There was
silence for a moment, then Ganelon replied.
“It is the Emperor’s nephew Roland who gives him
advice,” said Ganelon bitterly. “I remember a day when
Charlemagne was resting and Roland arrived hot and
dusty from battle. Roland plucked an apple and said to the
Emperor: “Take it, Sire. I give it you as I give you all the
crowns I have taken from kings all over the earth.”
As a result of their conversation, the two men plotted how
they might be rid of Roland, for Ganelon had convinced
his companion that if Roland were dead, the French would
desert Charlemagne, who was now old and feeble.
When they arrived at Saragosa, Blancadrin brought Count
Ganelon before King Marsilion, saying: “Sire, the
Emperor Charlemagne gave us no message, but sent back
with us Count Ganelon to give you his answer.” “Let the
Count speak then,” replied the willy ruler of Saragosa.
Instead of handling over his letter, Count Ganelon
insolently said: “Sire, my Emperor says, that if you
become a Christian you shall have half of Spain. If not
you will be taken, and carried to Aix and shamefully put
to death.” The King raised a javelin he had in his hand.
His courtiers held him back, while Ganelon retreated to a
tree and put his hand on his sword. He spoke again. “You
wrong me. Half Spain is yours if you turn Christian the
other half he will give to Count Roland!”
The rearguard of Charlemagne’s Army, led by Count
Roland, had been treacherously attacked by King
Marsilion’s Saracens at the urging of the traitor Ganelon,
who hated Roland. With the battle going against the
outnumbered French, Roland decided to sound his horn
for help, but his friend Oliver rode up and said: “Do not
sound it. Before the battle it would have been prudent:
now it would be the act of a coward.”
Oliver continued: “Sound your horn and you shall never
marry my sister Aude, your betrothed.” Roland was
dismayed, but up rode Archbishop Turpin and said “Let
Roland blow the horn. It is too late, for Charlemagne is
too far away. He will come and find us all dead and see
how we held the Pass. And he will bury us.
So Roland blew his great horn Olifant. He gave one long
blast. The veins stood out on his brow but he blew on and
the sound of his horn echoed through the mountain pass
and carried far away.
The great horn call reached Emperor Charlemagne and all combat, he would be spared. One Pinabel agreed to help
his company. “Roland calls!” cried Charlemagne. “He the traitor.
must be in battle.” One of his nobles, the Duke of Nalmon,
Count Thierry, a friend of Roland’s, challenged Pinabel
sighed deeply. “That horn, that long, long call, is blown by
and felled him with his lance. So Ganelon paid the penalty
a brave but desperate man, with all his remaining
for his crimes. Then Charlemagne set off for the wars
strength,” he said grimly. “Count Roland must need our
again, but without Roland, who now belonged to legend
aid.”
and song.
The traitor Ganelon approached the Emperor and sneered.
“You are growing old and childish, Roland is probably
hunting and blowing to show his skill. No Saracen would
dare fight him. Let us ride on. France is near.” “You are
wrong,” said Namion. “It is a call of agony.”
C h a r l e m a g n e believed Namion. He ordered his men
to answer the call with trumphets, to tell Roland he was
returning. His men prepared for battle then galloped back
the way they had come eager to fight.
Charlemagne, convinced that Ganelon had betrayed
Roland, ordered his master cook to guard Ganelon as he
would a murderer. So, Ganelon was chained and put upon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a packhouse in greatest dishonor, with cooks to guard him.
The master cook, whose name was Besgun, took his post.
Count Ganelon - Charlemagne's envoy
Meanwhile, Emperor Charlemagne and his men sped on King Marsilion - rules Saragosa (Saracens)
their way to rescue Roland. There was anger in Blancadrin - Marsilion's messenger
Charlemagne’s heart, anger and fear that he might be too Olifant - Roland's great horn
late. He ordered his trumpetors to keep blowing still, so Aude - Oliver's sister who's Roland's betrothed Besgun -
that Roland and his men might hear the blasts and be master cook of Charlemagne
given hope.  Who plotted Roland's death?
- Blancadrin & Count Ganelon

Count Roland was the last man left alive of all the valiant "Do not sound it. Before the battle it would have been
French who had held the pass against the Saracens. Soon prudent: now it would be act of a coward" said Oliver.
the Emperor Charlemagne and the rest of the army would
return, summoned by a mighty blast on Roland’s horn, but Charlemagne ordered his trumpeters to keep blowing still,
it would be too late. All they could do would be to bury so that Roland and his men might hear the blasts and be
the dead and mourn them and see that the traitor Ganelon given hope.
was punished, for it was he who had betrayed Roland and
his men to King Marsilion and his Saracen hosts. Roland tried to shatter his great sword on a rock so that no
one else should use it.
Roland had thought himself alone on the battlefield, but
suddenly some Saracens rushed by, and one he thought
dead, rose up and tried to steal his sword. He felled him
with his horn, smashing the rim.
Now Roland’s strength was at an end. He tried to shatter
his great sword on a rock so that no-one else should use it,
but failed. Falling down, he raised his battle glove to
heaven and prayed. Then he fell back dead.
Too late the Emperor arrives on the battlefield. The
Saracens had fled, but not one Frenchman was left alive.
While Charlemagne stood in proud grief, his fighting men
gathered around him, eager to avenge Roland.
Look, my Lord,” cried Duke Damion, one of his nobles.
“Beyond, there is a cloud of dust where the Saracens are
flying. Let us ride them down, showing them no mercy.”
Charlemagne rode on.
Back in his palace, Marsilion lay dying, with his weeping
queen beside him. Behind her were some of those warriors
who had attacked the French, but failed to vanquish them.
Outside were the broken Saracen survivors.
Charlemagne arrived in triumph, but treated Marsilion’s
widow with great courtesy. Then he returned to France
where Ganelon was tried. By law, if Ganelon could find a
champion who could defeat any challenger in single