THE SONG OF ROLAND

TRANSLATED BY: FREDERICK GOLDIN

Prepared By:
BALIDIONG, Mark Henry H.
ABOUT THE POEM
The Song of Roland (or La
Chanson de Roland), the earliest
surviving masterpiece of French
literature, is an epic poem
written in Old French which
reached its final form in or
around the later 11th century. The Roncevaux Pass

It centres on the death of Charlemagnes nephew

Roland at the battle of Roncevaux.
Nothing is known of the author except that his
name may have been Turoldus.
ABOUT THE POEM
The date of composition is put in the period
between 1040 and 1115: an early version
beginning around 1040 with additions and
alterations made up until about 1115.
The final text has about 4,000 lines of poetry.

The epic poem is the first and one of the most

outstanding examples of the chanson de
geste, a literary form that flourished between
the 11th and 15th centuries and celebrated
the legendary deeds.
ABOUT THE POEM
The poem is written in stanzas of irregular
length known as laisses. The lines are
decasyllabic (containing ten syllables), and
each is divided by a strong caesura (a
complete pause in a line of poetry) which
generally falls after the fourth syllable. The
last stressed syllable of each line in a laisse
has the same vowel sound as every other end-
syllable in that laisse. The laisse is therefore
an assonal, not a rhyming stanza
TRACING BACK OUR HISTORY
Pope Leo crowned
Charlemagne in Rome in
Christmas Day, 800, making
him the first Western Roman
emperor in more than 300
years. As head of the Holy
Roman Empire,
Charlemagne became a
figure of legend and stories
for hundreds of years.

Charlemagne
TRACING BACK OUR HISTORY
Bythe time
Charlemagne died in
814, his empire
(known as the
Carolingian Empire)
span almost half of
Europe, including the
present-day France
Germany, Italy, Spain
at Austria.

Europe in 814
TRACING BACK OUR HISTORY
Feudalism was the economic,
social and political system in
the medieval Europe. A
vassal was granted a gift of
land, service, or position at
court in exchange of military
service.
Before Spain, or the Iberian
peninsula as a whole,
became a Catholic country, it
was dominated by the
Moors, with Islam as their
religion.
Catholics at that time Iberian Peninsula
considered other religions as
infidels and a Christian
heresy.
THE CHARACTERS
CHARLEMAGNE
Historically, Charlemagne was king of the
Franks and a committed, militant Christian. A
loyal ally of the pope and a great conqueror, he
forced conversions as he expanded the
boundaries of his empire outward from his
central territory, straddling present-day France,
Germany, Italy, and Austria.
In 800 he was crowned emperor by the pope,
legitimizing his rule over the former Roman
empire in western Europe.
CHARLEMAGNE
After his death, he became legendary; it is
this legendary Charlemagne, the most perfect
Christian king, symbol of the spirit of the
Crusades, and favorite of heaven, who is
presented in The Song of Roland as leader of
the Frankish troops and Roland's uncle and
avenger. His name means literally, "Charles
the Great."
ROLAND
He is only mentioned in passing in the
historical records, as the prefect of the Breton
Marches, among those who fell at Roncesvals
(Roncevaux). In The Song of Roland, however,
he is the hero. He is one of the twelve peers of
France, Charlemagne's nephew and favorite,
a skillful and extremely bold warrior and
understands the Frankish campaign in Spain
as a crusade, allowing no compromise with
the Saracens.
ROLAND
His sometimes showy boldness and his great
popularity among the Franks and success on
the battlefield arouse the resentment of his
stepfather, Ganelon, who arranges with the
Saracens the ambush at Roncesvals.
He dies a martyr's death at Roncesvals and is
directly taken up to Paradise by saints and
angels. The rest of the poem recounts how
Charlemagne avenges his death.
GANELON
He is a well-respected Frankish baron and Roland's
stepfather. He resents his stepson's boastfulness and
great popularity among the Franks and success on
the battlefield. When Roland nominates him as
messenger to the Saracens, Ganelon is so deeply
offended that he vows vengeance. This vengeance
becomes treachery as Ganelon plots with the pagan
Blancandrin the ambush at Roncesvals. At the end,
justice is served when Ganelon's comrade Pinabel is
defeated in a trial-by-combat, showing that Ganelon
is a traitor in the eyes of God. Thus Ganelon is torn
limb from limb by four fiery horses.
MARSILLA
Marsilla (or Marsilia) is the pagan king of
Saragossa, the last Spanish city to hold out
against the Frankish army. His vassal
Blancandrin plans with Ganelon the ambush at
Roncesvals and death of Roland. While Roland
does die that day, he brings a handsome price
beforehand, chopping off Marsilla's right hand.
Badly weakened by this wound, Marsilla dies of
grief when he hears of Baligant's defeat.
Marsilla's queen, Bramimonde, is later taken to
Aix and converts to Christianity.
BLANCANDRIN
The shrewd pagan Blancandrin is one of
Marsilla's most useful vassals. He suggests that
they offer treasure, hostages, and a deceitful
promise to Charlemagne that Marsilla will come
to Aix and convert to Christianity to save their
honor and lands from the great Frankish army.
Marsilla picks him to deliver the peace offer to
the Franks. He and the Frank Ganelon then plot
together the ambush at Roncesvals and death of
Roland.
BASIL AND BASAN
They were brothers and messengers of
Charlemagne who were not literally part of
the poem. Some time earlier on in
Charlemagne's Spanish campaign than the
point at which The Song of Roland begins,
Marsilla had sent an embassy of pagans
carrying olive branches over to Charlemagne
with a peace offer. Charlemagne then sent
two of his counts, Basan and Basil, over to
the pagans to negotiate and the pagans
chopped off their heads.
BASIL AND BASAN
Rolandreminds the king of this incident
when urging him not to pay any attention to
Marsilla's later offer of peace; Ganelon too
remembers the two ill-fated messengers
when he takes such offense at Roland
nominating him as an envoy.
SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Charlemagne's army is fighting the Muslims
in Spain. The last city standing is Saragossa,
held by the Muslim king Marsilla. Terrified
of the might of Charlemagne's army of
Franks, 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 are tired of fighting and decide
to accept this peace offer.
OVERVIEW
They need now to select a messenger to
go back to Marsilla's court. The bold
warrior Roland nominates his
stepfather Ganelon. Ganelon is
enraged; he fears that he'll die in the
hands of the bloodthirsty pagans and
suspects that this is just Roland's
intent. He has long hated and envied
his stepson.
OVERVIEW
Riding back to Saragossa with the Saracen
messengers, he finds an opportunity for revenge.
He tells the Saracens how they could ambush the
rear guard of Charlemagne's army, which will
surely be led by Roland as the Franks pick their
way back to Spain through the mountain passes,
and helps the Saracens plan their attack.
Just as the traitor Ganelon predicted, Roland
gallantly volunteers to lead the rear guard. This
section of the poem ended as the Christians and
the Saracens prepare to do battle.
THE SONG OF ROLAND
TRANSLATED BY: FREDERICK GOLDIN
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ANALYSIS AND CONTEXT
REVIEW
LAISSE 1
The Song of Roland begins with Charlemagne
supposedly on a pilgrimage to the holy places in
Spain. He decided to take the Spain away from the
Moors, who invaded the Spain in A.D. 711 and at this
time controlled most of the country
The first laisse tells us of the inevitability of the
defeat of Muslim evil by Christian good. Because the
Christian God is all-powerful and deeply concerned
with the fate of his worshippers, there is no doubt that
they will eventually win, although they must struggle.
The Saracens are doomed from the start by their
worship of false gods.
LAISSE 13
Marsilion,the King of the Moors, had sent
messengers for an offer of peace, including
an amass of wealth and converting his
people, including himself, to Christianity.
However, Charlemagne, the great French
Emperor, had doubts with this.
LAISSE 14
We first are introduced to Roland by his bold speech
of laisse 14, arguing that the Franks should pay no
attention to the Saracens' offer of peace. He recalls
how the Saracens have deceived the Franks with
just such offers in the past, and he seems to be
motivated by an underlying understanding that the
war that Charlemagne's men are fighting in Spain
is sacred. He speaks like a crusader. The theme of
Roland's pride is also introduced in this first speech;
he boastfully lists the cities he has conquered as
part of his argument for why they must not accept
the Saracens' peace.
LAISSE 15
Ganelons speech, countering Roland's, urges
pragmatic considerations, for he, unlike Roland
doesn't understand the war as absolute and sacred.
In cultural context, Feudalism was the economic,
political, and social system of medieval Europe.
Land, worked by serfs who were bound to it, was
held by vassals. Overlords gave vassals right to the
land in exchange for military service. A baron was a
tenant of the king or any high-ranking lord.
Ganelons counsel, although laced with treachery, is
a good example of the interaction of the barons with
their king, a necessary component of feudal society.
LAISSE 20
In the debate among the council as they try to decide who
should go to Marsilla, it becomed clear that Ganelon
bitterly resents his stepson. Because earlier messengers
to Marsilla had been slaughtered, Ganelon considers
Roland's nomination of him as a messenger nearly the
same as wishing him dead.
Rolands exchange with Ganelon shows how the poem can
be read as a blood-feud between a stepson and his
stepfather. Blood-feud is a common theme in a French
epic poetry.
In lines 78 to 81, Rolands rejoinder to Ganelon is one of
the great ironic moments in the poem. Rolands tone is
one of superiority laced with bitterness.
LAISSE 21
Ganelon was insulted with the fact that Roland is one
of King Charles dozen peers and he is not. He was
infuriated by this implied insult more than he is afraid
that he may indeed die. If it were pure cowardice that
motivated Ganelon, he would be relieved to let Roland
go in his stead. But this would just make Roland look
all the more brave and noble, and Ganelon hates how
Roland is always going about looking so very brave and
noble.
It is his jealousy for the esteem that Roland enjoys in
the eyes of the emperor and the barons that drives
Ganelon to want to take Roland down a notch more
than anything else.
LAISSE 28
Ganelon, arrived at a meeting place. He
was awaited by the pagan messengers
leaded by Blancandrin, an envoy of King
Marsilion. They both recognized the
greatness of Charlemagne, with Ganelon
cited that there would be no other man
like Charlemagne.
LAISSE 30 AND 31
Ganelon talks with Blancandrin as they all ride
together back to Saragossa. Ganelon speaks of
Roland's arrogance and ferocity and blames him for
inciting the Franks to unending war. His mentioning
of Roland is infused with bitterness. This interests
Blancandrin extremely and the two, the Saracen and
the Frank, find a common bond; they both want
Roland dead. Cementing it, they pledge to each other
to find a way to get rid of him.
Starting line 128, in cultural context, it is necessary
for a feudal lord to share the booty with his men.
This would maintain their loyalty and morale.
LAISSE 36
Ganelon is presented before Marsilla, sitting on
his throne. Ganelon makes his speech boldly,
announcing that if Marsilla converts to
Christianity, he can be a vassal of Charlemagne
and govern half of Spain, but that if he will not
the Franks promise him death in squalor and
disgrace.
Also, observe that, at the start of the laisse, the
feudal code was still in place even for plotting
treachery.
LAISSE 37, 38 AND 39
Upon reading the letter from Charlemagne, Marsilla
becomes furious and almost kills Ganelon on the
spot, but Ganelon stands up to him, flashing his
sword, and the Saracens decide to hear out the
Frankish ambassador.
Marsilla withdraws into a private council with his
best men, including Blancandrin, who hints at the
conspiracy he had worked up with Ganelon on the
way to Saragossa and asks the king to have the
Frank brought there. Once Ganelon joins the
council, the plotting begins.
At laisse 39, keeping with feudal custom, King
Marsilion offers Ganelon reparation for offending
him and doubting his embassy.
LAISSE 42
The pagans wonder at Charlemagne's
tenacity and endurance, at his unrelenting
campaign in Spain. Ganelon implies that
this Count Roland is so fierce that his
encouragement is the chief reason why
Charlemagne keeps fighting and so brave
that Charlemagne is unbeatable with
Roland at his side.
LAISSE 44 AND 52
Ganelon outlines a plot that could give them the
advantage: the Saracens must appear to follow the
peace pact, sending riches and hostages to the
Franks. When the Franks then make their way back
home to France, they will keep a rear guard of
twenty thousand behind them, and this rear guard
will probably include Roland. In the mountains, cut
off from the main body of Charlemagne's army, the
guard is vulnerablethis is the time to attack, and
with overwhelming force, an army of a hundred
thousand Saracens. Caught in a mountain pass,
Roland will not be able to escape, and once he is
dead, Charlemagne will no longer pose a problem to
the Saracens; without Roland, the Franks will be
crippled.
LAISSE 54
Ganelon soon arrives back at the Frankish camp and
tells the emperor and his men that his embassy was
a triumph. He shows them the treasure and the
hostages and says that Marsilla will arrive in
Charlemagne's capital, Aix, no more than a month
after their own arrival to become a Christian.
Charlemagne and his men are most pleased, looking
forward to their return to France, for which they
have longed for years.
Ganelons speech is truly cunning. Like many good
liars, he convinces Charlemagne by telling him what
he want to hear. Feudal customs are also vividly
displayed in his speech.
LAISSE 56
Charlemagne went to sleep the night
Ganelon returns. He had vivid and strange
dreams prophesying the doom that will soon
meet the Franks. In one of these sleeping
visions, Ganelon plays the villain's part.
Charlemagne believes these prophetic
dreams are sent from God. He has another
dream right before Rolands death. Belief in
the prophetic power of dreams was common
during the Middle Ages.
LAISSE 58 AND 59
The Franks must decide who will go in the
rear guard and who in the van. Ganelon,
suggests Roland as the most suitable leader
possible for the rear guard. Roland does not
protest, but instead proudly accepts the
office. He is, however, very irritated; he
knows perfectly well that Ganelon did not
suggest him for the rear guard out of the
kindness of his heart, and snidely insults his
stepfather.
LAISSE 68
As the main body of the Frankish army cross over
into their homeland, Charlemagne weeps among the
general rejoicing. Sensing about his dreams,
Ganelon had betrayed them.
At this moment, the main Frankish army, headed by
Charlemagne, are en route to Aix with twenty
thousand men at their rear headed by Roland.
Meanwhile, Marsilion prepares his four hundred
thousand men to ambush Rolands army. The great
battle is just about to start.
The poet uses the word almacur to refer to any fierce
Arab knight.
REFERENCES:
Song of Roland. Retrieved December 5, 2014 as PDF
file from
http://www.stjohnshigh.org/s/804/images/editor_docu
ments/Smith/the_song_of_roland.pdf
Thompson, Diane. (n.d.). Story of Roland Study
Guide. Retrieved from World Wide Web on December
5, 2014 at
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/eng251/rolandstudy.htm
Song of Roland. Retrieved December 23, 2014 from
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/songofroland/
The Song of Roland. n.d. In Wikipedia. Retrieved
December 23, 2014 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Roland
PICTURE CREDITS (IN ORDER OF
APPEARANCE):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Roland#me
diaviewer/File:Grandes_chroniques_Roland.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thu
mb/a/a9/Roncevaux-Ibaneta.jpg/280px-Roncevaux-
Ibaneta.jpg
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mcge
e411/GHTOUT/c6-charlemagne3.jpg
http://www.hist.umn.edu/hist3611/moved/protected/w
eek3/images/carolingian2.jpg
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europ
e/iberian.gif
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/
Mort_de_Roland.jpg