What is the story The Song of Roland about?

Written at the time of the First Crusade to the Holy Lands at the end of the 11th century, The Song of Roland reflects the fight between Christianity and Islam, or good and evil. The poem glorifies Christianity and its defeat over Islam, with the intention of encouraging Christians during the Crusades.

Is The Song of Roland a true story?

Based on the actual August 15, 778 Battle of Roncevaux de- scribed in Einhard’s The Life of Charlemagne in which Christian Basques ambush Charlemagne’s rearguard while traveling through a Pyrenees mountain pass, the Roland is a highly fictional, dramatized retelling of a relatively minor event in the emperor’s …

Why was The Song of Roland written?

It was written to commemorate the Battle of Roncevaux Pass fought between Roland and Basques. The epic itself went on to become widely popular and was later romanticised as a conflict between Christians and Muslims during the Crusades. Song of Roland is also considered the oldest epic in French Literature.

What is the theme lesson of The Song of Roland?

The main message of the epic poem Song of Roland is fairly simple: good will always triumph over evil. In this poem, “good” is represented through both honor and justice and always prevails. In the main message, honor as a quality of goodness is quite important.

Who are the characters of the story The Song of Roland?

Characters in The Song of Roland Aude: Roland’s fiancé and Oliver’s sister. Baligant: The Emir of Babylon or Cairo. Blancandrin: Advisor to Marsile. Bramimonde: Queen and wife to Marsile.

Who is Roland’s stepfather?

Ganelon
Ganelon. Ganelon 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.

Who is the hero in the Song of Roland?

Roland, nephew of the emperor Charlemagne and leader of the rearguard in his army, is the most renowned hero of the tradition of epic in the Romance languages. He is the hero, of course, of the Song of Roland , which has survived in seven substantial versions.

Who is the hero of the Song of Roland?

[email protected]. Roland, nephew of the emperor Charlemagne and leader of the rearguard in his army, is the most renowned hero of the tradition of epic in the Romance languages. He is the hero, of course, of the Song of Roland , which has survived in seven substantial versions.

How old is the Song of Roland?

La Chanson de Roland, English The Song of Roland, Old French epic poem that is probably the earliest (c. 1100) chanson de geste and is considered the masterpiece of the genre.

What happens at the end of the Song of Roland?

Roland blows so hard that his temples burst. He dies a glorious martyr’s death, and saints take his soul straight to Paradise. When Charlemagne and his men reach the battlefield, they find only dead bodies. The pagans have fled, but the Franks pursue them, chasing them into the river Ebro, where they all drown.

Who was the hero in the Song of Roland?