“BLOOD IS THICKER THAN

WATER”
HERO?
THE SONG OF ROLAND (LA CHANSON DE ROLAND)

(French Literature) epic poem that

describes a series of fabulous exploits,
usually involving Charlemagne and his
Paladins (palace officials or protagonists of
a cause).
WHAT IS AN EPIC?

-derived from the Ancient Greek adjective, “epikos”,

which means a poetic story. In literature, an epic is a
long narrative poem, which is usually related to
heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and
unparalleled bravery.
ELEMENTS:

CHARACTERS:
-Roland -Oliver
-King Marsilla -Charlemagne
-Aude -Ganelon
ELEMENTS:

SETTING:
ELEMENTS:

CONFLICT:
ELEMENTS:

PLOT:
ELEMENTS:

THEME:
ELEMENTS:

SYMBOLISMS:
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 The Secretary of Defense was chosen as the

President’s envoy to represent the whole country
at the World Summit.
- messenger, representative
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 She died last year after a valiant fight with cancer.

-brave, courageous, valorous
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 The insolent students didn’t do what their teacher

wants.
- rude, impolite
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 The detectives can’t seem to figure out the tactics

of the murderer. The cunning culprit was very
clever in doing the crime.
-shrewd, sharp-witted, smart
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 She chose to prioritize her studies over her

lovelife. She made a prudent choice.
-wise
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 My mother was furious when she found out that I

didn’t wash the dishes.
- ferocious, very angry, delirious, wild
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 She look feeble after suffering a heavy fever last

week.
- weak, wasted
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

What are the characteristics of

the ideal knight according to “The
Song of Roland”?
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

How do you feel about King

Charlemagne? Is he a wise king?
Explain.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

Why was Ganelon very angry at

Roland? How did he betray him?
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

How do you feel about Roland?

Why does he not sound the
Olifant to call King Charlemagne’s
army for help at the very
beginning?
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

What causes the death of

Roland?
GROUP ACTIVITY: