Roland: historical figure and cultural significance

¶ … Song of Roland," translated by Patricia Terry. Specifically, it will contain a critical analysis of Roland, the principal character in the work. Roland is a brave knight who epitomizes chivalry and Christianity of the time, and how the two were intricately intertwined.

The Song of Roland" is an epic poem that tells the story of how King Charlemagne's French forces were eliminated by Muslim forces during the Crusades in Spain, after seven long years of fighting. Count Roland is Charlemagne's nephew, and a brave and gallant knight who serves Charlemagne well. He is the embodiment of chivalry and knighthood in early medieval times, such as when the Crusades took place. Throughout the poem, the unknown author illustrates Roland as a brave hero who supports his uncle well and conquers many lands for his king. Epic poems were written during medieval times to inspire and to pass on legends and stories. Roland's story is meant to inspire Christians to take up the fight against Islam, and to inspire chivalry and devotedness in the knights of the time. Epic poems were very popular at the time they were written, and this poem is the oldest known epic poem in existence. It was probably written around the year 1100, but no one really knows for sure. During the Crusades, the Catholic Church wanted to spread its influence into the Holy Land, and good Christians were urged to fight the "pagan" Muslims, and thus spread Christianity. Many knights of the time joined the Crusades, and this poem is the story of one group of French knights, under the rule of French King Charlemagne, who were fighting in just such a Crusade.

When Roland is first introduced in the poem, he stands up for his uncle against the other barons, and speaks out against the treachery of the Muslims. He does not trust them, and this is wise, but the other barons do not support him. In his speech he says, "You can't believe Marsile! / It's seven years since first we came to Spain; / For you I've conquered Nople and Commiblea, / I took Val-Terre and all the land of Pine, / And Balaguer, Tudela, Sedile. / There King Marsile displayed his treachery'" (Terry 10). Thus, the reader immediately understands that Roland is a brave and loyal soldier, who has successful completed numerous campaigns for his king. He is also bright, because he understands the trickery of the Muslims, and knows enough not to trust them, especially after trusting them once already. He is bold and brave, but he is also impetuous, and this makes him a weaker leader than he could be. When he chooses not to blow the oliphant horn, his decision ultimately leads to the deaths of 20,000 of his men, many of them his closest companions. In addition, he refuses additional help from Charlemagne's army, and this rash decision also contributes to the deaths of the rear guard. Because Roland is impetuous and rash, he believes he is stronger than he really is, and while he is extremely brave, his rash decisions lead to death, even his own, in the end.

Roland is clearly Charlemagne's favorite, he says of him "God! If I lose him, no one can take his place'" (35). Yet, even though he has an ominous dream, he sends Roland off to command the rear guard as Ganelon has suggested, and so, he seals Roland's fate. Yet, even though Ganelon is a traitor, Roland will not listen to anything bad about his stepfather. He admonishes Oliver when he calls him "false-hearted" (42), and is true to his family, even though they are not true to him. This intense loyalty extends to his king, to his men, and to his conviction that Christianity must spread throughout the world. This loyalty is an important part of chivalry, and Roland is an excellent example of what people of the time felt chivalry should represent.

Roland's bravery is legendary, and that is another important quality of a good knight. The Muslims know of Roland, and many of them are eager to kill him in battle. Roland's bravery has created a name and a legend about him, and enemies know they should fear him. They also know it will take a great many to kill him, and all of Marsile's aides vow to kill Roland to ultimately bring down Charlemagne. Roland's fame is legendary, and so, he seems larger than life to the reader, but not so large that he is unconquerable.

Roland is also extremely proud, and this pride also helps lead to his death. He refuses to sound the oliphant and call back Charlemagne's troops, and so, his pride is larger than his common sense. He says, "Better to die than to learn to live with shame -- / Charles loves us more as our keen swords win fame'" (44). Sadly, too much pride is a sin, but Roland cannot admit this, and cannot admit that he might need help. Oliver is the wiser of the two men, and understands the odds they face, but he cannot convince his friend to call back the King and his men to help in the fight. Oliver rebukes him for his pride, but not until it is too late, and all the Franks are lost on the battlefield.

In battle, Roland is beyond reproach. He is brave beyond belief and travels everywhere on the field. It seems that the Franks may win the battle, and Roland will be triumphant, but there seems to be no end to the Muslim army, and just when it seems the battle is over, a new host of Muslims arrive. Still Roland fights on, and kills numerous Muslims, while urging the men around him to keep fighting. Roland is levelheaded on the battlefield, and always keeps his wits about him. It is easy to see why he has such a reputation, because he is brave, and nothing seems to get in his way. However, his friends fall around him, and he finally admits to himself that he has made a terrible mistake. When he blows the oliphant, it is too late, and the exertion also kills Roland. He has made a poor choice, and he and his men have paid for it.

The poem makes Roland sound almost too good to be true, but he is the model that all good knights wanted to emulate. However, there are some people who do not admire Roland. Count Oliver calls him "fierce, and quick to wrath," (13), and so, some of the knights do not trust Roland, even though he is quite close to the king. He also makes an enemy of his stepfather, Ganelon, when he nominates him as emissary to negotiate with the Muslims, and there is great bitterness between Ganelon, the traitor, and Roland, the brave. Ganelon schemes with the Muslims to eliminate Charlemagne's rear guard, including Roland and his friend, Oliver. He promises Marsile that Charlemagne will lose the will to fight if Roland is killed, and Marsile joins in the plot. For this, Ganelon is executed at the end of the poem. However, his treachery is successful, and Roland is eliminated.