Song of Roland Essentially Functions as Folklore,

¶ … Song of Roland essentially functions as folklore, which lionizes and creates legends of the works and characters of Charlemagne the Great and his men. The author of this epic poem is unknown, as is the exact date in which it was written. It is commonly believed to have been written in the 12th century. The poem's central action utilizes elements of the history of Charlemagne and his Muslim enemies quite loosely. It takes certain historical events and effectively distorts them for the author's own purpose, which is linked to the encouragement of the spread of Christianity. However, many of the major events depicted within this work actually took place. How and why they did, as well as the intimacy of details that poem supplies by effectively flushing out those particulars, is largely fictional and merely helps to spread the legend of Charlemagne, his men, and the perceived greatness of Christianity.

The particular date in which this epic poem was conceived is highly significant to its content. The beginning of the 12 century marks an important date in conventional European Christianity, because it marks the launching point of the Crusades. The Crusades were decades-long struggles of Europeans to overtake areas of Europe and other territory deemed the Holy Land from the grips of Muslims. Crusaders -- warriors, barbarians, and a select few actual religious believers -- really used this movement as an excuse to loot, plunder, pillage, and rape these territories and their material and physical goods as much as possible. In this respect, this epic poem functions as a means of propaganda for the Crusades. It easily polarizes good and evil -- everything that Charlemagne or any Christian does within this poem (except for maybe the treacherous actions of Ganelon) are deemed wonderful works of God, while actions on the part of Muslims are ultimately utterly unspeakably evil. The significance, then, was to present the defeat at Roncesvals and other aspects of this poem as both motivation and justification for the Crusades.

The Song of Roland begins with the Franks, led by Charlemagne, engaged in a war campaign ins Spain, which at the time was occupied by the Moors who were predominantly Muslim. The king of the Muslims in Spain is named Marsilla -- he wants to surrender and one of Charlemagne's men must go to his fortress to accept the terms of peace. Ganelon is elected to do so by Roland; the former believes the latter nominated him so that he might be killed by the Moors there. As a means of exacting revenge, Ganelon tells the Muslims how to ambush Charlemagne's army when they return to France. The ambush (which takes place at Roncesvals) is a huge success and the entire rear component of Charlemagne's army (including archbishop Turpin, Oliver, and Roland) are murdered. A neighboring Muslim king (Balignant )comes to battle Charlemagne on behalf of Marsilla; the Frank murders him and returns triumphant to France where Ganelon is tried for treason. Two of Charlemagne's men duel to the death to decided Ganelon's fate, the one who accused him of treason wins and Ganelon is murdered.

Chivalry has a dominant role in this poem largely due to its subject matter (war) and the time period it is set in (the dark ages). The clashes between the Christians and Muslims are depicted as heroic and chivalric. The type of combat prevalent at the time, via blades, arrows and armor) is that performed by knights. A description of the characters in the text demonstrates the degree of heroism and values of chivalry they embody. For instance, two of Charlemagne's slain men are described as "Roland is bold, Oliver is wise, and both of them are marvelously brave" (87.1093-1094). Even Turpin, a holy man and archbishop, is described as a superlative person with the phrase "no tonsured priest who ever sang a mass/performed such feats of prowess with his body" (121.1606-1607). The feats of prowess described in this passage are essential parts of the brave and heroic values of chivalry that the characters exemplify. It is also noteworthy to mention that as a religious figure, Turpin's chivalry and power represents that of Christianity in its triumph over Islam, which was valuable propaganda for the Crusades.

Additionally, religion plays a principle role in this epic poem, as it is clear that Charlemagne's cause is that of Christianity while those of the Muslims is that of Islam. As such, the deeds and actions of the characters are used to personify different attributes of their religion. Due to the social and political motivation that this epic poem served for the Crusades, it worth noting that even the defeats suffered by Charlemagne's army demonstrate the value of Christianity. Therefore, when Roland is slain, the author emphasizes the fact that "his soul is with God in heaven" (177.2397-2398). Even the Muslim's are valued and praised in Christian terms, as the author describes one of the Muslim leaders, Balignant, by saying "God, what a lord, if he were but a Christian!" (228.3164).