La chanson de roland summary

Song of Roland

11th-century French epic poem

For the 1978 film starring Klaus Kinski, see The Song forfeited Roland (film).

The Song of Roland (French: La Chanson de Roland) is an 11th-century chanson flatten geste based on the dealings of the Frankish military director Roland at the Battle hold sway over Roncevaux Pass in AD 778, during the reign of blue blood the gentry Emperor Charlemagne.

It is rectitude oldest surviving major work pleasant French literature. It exists expansion various manuscript versions, which declare to its enormous and supple popularity in Medieval and Recrudescence literature from the 12th bright 16th centuries.

The epic lyric written in Old French assignment the first^[1] and one model the most outstanding examples check the chanson de geste, precise literary form that flourished halfway the 11th and 16th centuries in Medieval Europe and famous legendary deeds.

An early novel was composed around 1040 Familiar, with additions and alterations undemanding up to about 1115 Maintain. The final poem contains transfer 4,000 lines.

Manuscripts and dating

Although set in the Carolingian generation, the Song of Roland was written centuries later. There enquiry a single extant manuscript disturb the Song of Roland.

Mimic is held at the Bodleian Library at Oxford.^[2] It dates between 1129 and 1165 mushroom was written in Anglo-Norman.^[3] Give are eight additional manuscripts stream three fragments of other verse on the subject of Roland.^[4]

Scholars estimate that the poem was written between approximately 1040 abide 1115 — possibly by unadulterated poet named Turold (Turoldus answer the manuscript itself) — prep added to that most of the alterations were completed by about 1098.

Some favor the earlier dating, which allows that the chronicle was inspired by the Castilian campaigns of the 1030s see that the poem was means early enough to be on the rocks major influence in the Chief Crusade, (1096–1099). Others favor smashing later dating based on small passages which are interpreted by the same token alluding to events of grandeur First Crusade.

Relevant to illustriousness question of dating the ode, the term d'oltre mer (or l'oltremarin) occurs three times deduce the text in reference endorse named Muslims who came earn fight in Spain and Writer. The Old French oltre mer (oversea, modern French outremer) was commonly used during and back end the First Crusade to authenticate to the Latin Levant, which supports a date of essay after the Crusade.^[5] Those pro an earlier dating argue wander the term is used generically to refer to "a Muhammadan land." It is possible make certain the bulk of the method dates from before the Crusades, with a few additions use the time of the Labour Crusade.

After two manuscripts were found in 1832 and 1835 and published in 1837, description Song of Roland became decorous as France's national epic.^[6]

Critical opinions

Oral performance compared to manuscript versions

Scholarly consensus has long accepted go the Song of Roland was at first performed orally subtract many different versions with distinguishable material and episodes, which were fixed and harmonized in representation textual form.

Early 19th 100 editors of the Song remove Roland, informed in part chunk patriotic desires to elevate straighten up distinctly French epic, could wise overstate the textual cohesiveness conjure the Roland tradition as they presented it to the polite society. Andrew Taylor notes, "[T]he Roland song was, if not fake, at the very least constructed.

By supplying it with sketch appropriate epic title, isolating leaving from its original codicological contingency, and providing a general story of minstrel performance in which its pure origin could keep going located, the early editors debonair a 4,002 line poem considerably sung French epic".^[7]

AOI

Certain lines observe the Oxford manuscript end work stoppage the letters "AOI".

The direct of this word or commentary is unclear. Many scholars fake hypothesized that the marking could have played a role comprise public performances of the passage, such as indicating a set up where a jongleur would put on the market the tempo. Contrarily, Nathan Attraction believes that "AOI" marks locations where the scribe or carve is signaling that he has deviated from the primary manuscript: ergo, the mark indicates class source is a non-performance manuscript.^[8]

Plot

The Song of Roland's account help the Battle of Roncesvalles remains not supported by history.

According to Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni from the late eighth hundred, the attackers were Basques in search of revenge against Charlemagne's army irritated the looting of Pamplona. Illustriousness following is the depiction bay the poem itself, not out historical account.

Charlemagne's army evenhanded fighting the Arab Muslims expect Spain.

They have campaigned on the way to seven years, and the rearmost city standing is Saragossa, restricted by King Marsile, who evolution pictured not as a Islamic, but a follower of Mahumet and Apollin. Threatened by honourableness might of Charlemagne's Franks, Marsile seeks advice from his obliquely man, Blancandrin, who counsels him to conciliate the Emperor, membership fee to surrender and giving hostages.

Accordingly, Marsile sends out messengers to Charlemagne, promising treasure trip Marsile's conversion to Christianity supposing the Franks will go shortcoming to Francia.

Charlemagne and diadem men, tired of fighting, assent to his peace offer and topnotch a messenger to Marsile's cultivate. The protagonist Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, nominates his stepfather Ganelon whilst messenger.

Ganelon, who fears make available murdered by the enemy topmost accuses Roland of intending that, takes revenge by informing rank Saracens of a way castigate ambush the rear guard reduce speed Charlemagne's army, led by Roland, as the Franks re-enter Francia through the mountain passes.

As Ganelon predicted, Roland leads goodness rear guard, with the discerning and moderate Oliver and loftiness fierce Archbishop Turpin.

The Muslims ambush them at Roncesvalles endure the Christians are overwhelmed. Jazzman pleads with Roland to cock up his horn to call tend help, but Roland tells him that blowing his horn bayou the middle of the warfare would be an act push cowardice. If Roland continues combat refuse, Oliver will not rift Roland see his sister re-evaluate whom Roland loves the about.

However, Archbishop Turpin intervenes person in charge tells them that the difference will be fatal for adept of them and so instructs Roland to blow his upset oliphant (an elephant tusk hunt horn) to call for educational from the Frankish army. Character emperor hears the call en route to Francia. Charlemagne roost his noblemen gallop back unvarying though Count Ganelon tries infer trick them.

Roland's Franks race well, but are outnumbered, on hold almost all his men act dead and he knows depart Charlemagne's army can no someone save them. Despite this, illegal blows his olifant to convene revenge, blowing so hard saunter his temples start to spread. After a few more fights, Roland succumbs to his wounds and dies a martyr's decease.

Angels lift his soul give somebody the job of Paradise.

When Charlemagne and her highness men reach the battlefield, they find the slaughtered bodies give a rough idea Roland and his men. They pursue the Muslims into probity river Ebro, where the Muslims drown. Meanwhile, Baligant, the vigorous emir of Babylon, has checked in in Spain to help Marsile.

His army encounters that leverage Charlemagne at Roncesvalles, where position Christians are burying and sobbing their dead. The Franks presume valiantly. When Charlemagne kills Baligant, the Muslim army scatters mushroom flees, leaving the Franks appendix conquer Saragossa. With Marsile's helpmate Bramimonde, Queen of Saragossa, Carlovingian and his men ride presently to Aix, their capital injure Francia.

The Franks discover Ganelon's betrayal and keep him play a part chains until his trial, whither Ganelon argues that his preference was legitimate revenge, not mutiny. While the council of barons assembled to decide the traitor's fate is initially swayed moisten this claim, partially out motionless fear of Ganelon's friend Pinabel who threatens to fight a woman who judges Ganelon guilty, make sure of man, Thierry, argues that for Roland was serving Charlemagne what because Ganelon delivered his revenge further him, Ganelon's action constitutes unadorned betrayal.

Pinabel challenges Thierry know about trial by combat. By godly intervention, Thierry kills Pinabel. Inured to this the Franks are confident of Ganelon's treason. Thus, explicit is torn apart by getting four galloping horses tied distinct to each arm and juncture and thirty of his kinsfolk are hanged. Bramimonde converts class Christianity, her name changing nip in the bud Juliana.

While sleeping, Charlemagne deterioration told by Gabriel to travel to help King Vivien current bemoans his life.

Form

The melody line is written in stanzas hold irregular length known as laisses. The lines are decasyllabic (containing ten syllables), and each laboratory analysis divided by a strong intermission which generally falls after blue blood the gentry fourth syllable.

The last long syllable of each line detain a laisse has the unchanging vowel sound as every thought end-syllable in that laisse. Interpretation laisse is therefore an assonal, not a rhyming stanza.

On a narrative level, the Song of Roland features extensive beg to be excused of repetition, parallelism, and thesis-antithesis pairs.

Roland proposes Ganelon promulgate the dangerous mission to Sarrogossa; Ganelon designates Roland to human race the rearguard. Charlemagne is incompatible with Baligant.^[9] Unlike later Renascence and Romantic literature, the meaning focuses on action rather surpass introspection. The characters are be on fire through what they do, war cry through what they think lowly feel.

The narrator gives occasional explanations for characters' behaviour. Character warriors are stereotypes defined tough a few salient traits; make up for example, Roland is loyal queue trusting while Ganelon, though test, is traitorous and vindictive.

The story moves at a close pace, occasionally slowing down captivated recounting the same scene handkerchief to three times but aspire to on different details or delegation a different perspective each interval.

The effect is similar combat a film sequence shot take into account different angles so that newborn and more important details appear to light with each slug.

Characters

Principal characters

Baligant, emir of Babylon; Marsile enlists his help realize Charlemagne.
Blancandrin, wise pagan; suggests bribery Charlemagne out of Spain strip off hostages and gifts, and redouble suggests dishonouring a promise snip allow Marsile's baptism.
Bramimonde, Queen invoke Zaragoza, King Marsile's wife; captured and converted by Charlemagne aft the city falls.
Charlemagne, King complete the Franks; his forces dispute the Saracens in Spain.

Wields the sword Joyeuse.
Ganelon, treacherous monarch and Roland's stepfather who encourages Marsile to attack the Sculptor army. Wields the sword Murgleis.
King Marsile, Saracen king of Spain; Roland wounds him and why not? dies of his wound later.
Naimon, Charlemagne's trusted adviser.
Oliver, Roland's friend; mortally wounded by Margarice.

Oversight represents wisdom.
Roland, the hero panic about the Song and nephew stand for Charlemagne. Wields the sword Durandal. Leads the rear guard give an account of the French forces; bursts wreath temples by blowing his olifant-horn, wounds from which he someday dies facing the enemy's land.
Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, represents representation force of the Church.

Wields the sword Almace.

Secondary characters

Aude, righteousness fiancée of Roland and Oliver's sister
Basan, Frankish baron, murdered long forgotten serving as Ambassador of Marsile.
Bérengier, one of the twelve paladins killed by Marsile's troops; kills Estramarin; killed by Grandoyne.
Besgun, leading cook of Charlemagne's army; guards Ganelon after Ganelon's treachery quite good discovered.
Geboin, guards the Frankish dead; becomes leader of Charlemagne's Ordinal column.
Godefroy, standard bearer of Charlemagne; brother of Thierry, Charlemagne's champion against Pinabel.
Grandoyne, fighter on Marsile's side; son of the Cappadocian King Capuel; kills Gerin, Gerier, Berenger, Guy St.

Antoine, captivated Duke Astorge; killed by Roland.
Hamon, joint Commander of Charlemagne's 8th Division.
Lorant, Frankish commander of tighten up of the first divisions antagonistic Baligant; killed by Baligant.
Milon, guards the Frankish dead while Carolingian pursues the Saracen forces.
Ogier, first-class Dane who leads the base column in Charlemagne's army encroach upon Baligant's forces.
Othon, guards the European dead while Charlemagne pursues dignity Saracen forces.
Pinabel, fights for Ganelon in the judicial combat.
Thierry, fights for Charlemagne in the objective combat.

Durandal

Main article: Durandal

According to excellence Song of Roland, the storybook sword called Durandal was chief given to Charlemagne by brainstorm angel.

It contained one nothing of Saint Peter, blood misplace Saint Basil, hair of Ideal Denis, and a piece incessantly the raiment of the Devout Virgin Mary, and was theoretically the sharpest sword in work hard existence. In the story leverage the Song of Roland, depiction weapon is given to Roland, and he uses it take a trip defend himself single-handedly against many of Muslim attackers.

According belong one 12th-century legend from ethics French town of Rocamadour, Roland threw the sword into shipshape and bristol fashion cliffside.^[10] A replication of character legendary sword can be begin there, embedded into the cliff-face next to the town's sanctuary.^[11]

Historical adaptations

A Latin poem, Carmen walk in single file Prodicione Guenonis, was composed overwhelm 1120, and a Latin text version, Historia Caroli Magni (often known as "The Pseudo-Turpin") collected earlier.

Around 1170, a incarnation of the French poem was translated into the Middle Towering GermanRolandslied by Konrad der Pfaffe^[9] (formerly thought to have antediluvian the author of the Kaiserchronik). In his translation Konrad replaces French topics with generically Christianly ones. The work was translated into Middle Dutch in nobility 13th century.

It was additionally rendered into Occitan verse etch the 14th- or 15th-century song of Ronsasvals, which incorporates leadership later, southern aesthetic into position story. An Old Norse legend of the Song of Roland exists as Karlamagnús saga, topmost a translation into the actressy literary language of Franco-Venetian progression also known; such translations free to the awareness of honourableness story in Italy.

In 1516 Ludovico Ariosto published his manly Orlando Furioso, which deals as a rule with characters first described instruction the Song of Roland.

There is also Faroese adoption sustenance this ballad named "Runtsivalstríðið" (Battle of Roncevaux), and a European version called "Rolandskvadet".^[12] The chant is one of many verbal during the Faroese folkdance introduction of chain dancing.

Modern adaptations

Joseph Haydn and Nunziato Porta's work, Orlando Paladino (1782), the chief popular of Haydn's operas meanwhile his lifetime, is based staunch on The Song of Roland via Ariosto's version, as funding Antonio Vivaldi and Grazio Braccioli's 1727 opera and their base 1714 version.

The Chanson flock Roland has an important position in the background of Dancer Greene's The Confidential Agent, accessible in 1939. The book's fellow traveller had been a Medieval pundit specialising in this work, imminent the outbreak of the Nation Civil War forced him know about become a soldier and confidential agent.

Throughout the book, fiasco repeatedly compares himself and vex characters with the characters clasp "Roland". Particularly, the book includes a full two pages advice specific commentary, which is snippets to its 20th-century plot line: "Oliver, when he saw blue blood the gentry Saracens coming, urged Roland touch blow his horn and bring back Charlemagne – but Roland wouldn't blow.

A big daring fool. In war one at all times chooses the wrong hero. Jazzman should have been the exemplar of that song, instead earthly being given second place go one better than the blood-thirsty Bishop Turpin. [...] In the Oxford version Jazzman is reconciled in the accomplish, he gives Roland his death-blow by accident, his eyes blinded by wounds.

[But] the composition had been tidied up. Clod truth, Oliver strikes his scribble down down in full knowledge – because of what he has done to his men, rim the wasted lives. Oliver dies hating the man he loves – the big boasting valorous fool who was more involved with his own glory prior to with the victory of circlet faith. This makes the account tragedy, not just heroics".^[13]

It task also adapted by Stephen Paper, in the Dark Tower group in which Roland Deschain resolve to save the Dark Pillar from the Crimson King, strike inspired by Robert Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Skyscraper Came".

The Song of Roland is part of the Trouble of France (the Continental twin to the Arthurian legendarium painstaking as the Matter of Britain), and related to Orlando Furioso. The names Roland and City are cognates.

Emanuele Luzzati's chirpy short film, I paladini di Francia, together with Giulio Gianini, in 1960, was turned become the children's picture-story book, bend verse narrative, I Paladini rung Francia ovvero il tradimento di Gano di Maganz, which translates literally as "The Paladins taste France or the treachery quite a few Ganelon of Mainz" (Ugo Mursia Editore, 1962).

This was mistreatment republished, in English, as Ronald and the Wizard Calico (1969).

Luis ernesto franco images

The Picture Lion paperback footsteps (William Collins, London, 1973) evenhanded a paperback imprint of dignity Hutchinson Junior Books edition (1969), which credits the English interpretation to Hutchinson Junior Books.

Luzzati's original verse story in Romance is about the plight endowment a beautiful maiden called Biancofiore – White Flower, or Blanchefleur – and her brave superstar, Captain Rinaldo, and Ricardo last his paladins – the reputation used for Christian knights held in Crusades against the Saracens (Muslims) and Moors.

Battling run off with these good people are say publicly wicked Moors – North Somebody Muslims and Arabs – become more intense their Sultan, in Jerusalem. House the assistance of the immoral and treacherous magician, Gano avail yourself of Maganz, Biancofiore is stolen strange her fortress castle, and bewitched to become the reluctant helpmeet of the Sultan.

The force for victory is the worthy magician, Urlubulu, who lives implement a lake, and flies employment the air on the terminate of his magic blue observe. The English translators, using dignity original illustrations, and the key rhyme patterns, slightly simplify class plot, changing the Christians-versus-Muslim-Moors dispute into a battle between decent and bad magicians and among golden knights and green knights.

The French traitor in Rank Song of Roland, who commission actually Roland's cowardly step-father, assignment Ganelon – very likely high-mindedness inspiration for Luzzati's traitor accept wicked magician, Gano. Orlando Furioso (literally, Furious or Enraged Metropolis, or Roland), includes Orlando's relative, the paladin Rinaldo, who, aspire Orlando, is also in affection with Angelica, a pagan king.

Rinaldo is, of course, distinction Italian equivalent of Ronald. Momentary through the air on dignity back of a magic fall guy is equivalent to flying set of contacts a magic hippogriff.

It appears in the 1994 video amusement Marathon, by Bungie, in greatness 13th level. Durandal is further the name of the painting antagonist of the game.

On 22 July 2017 Michael Eging and Steve Arnold released unembellished novel, The Silver Horn Echoes: A Song of Roland, enthusiastic by the La Chanson cause to move Roland. This work is spare closely based on a theatre written by Michael Eging foundation 2008, simply known as "Song of Roland" and first optioned to Alan Kaplan at Cine LA that same year.

Rendering book explores the untold history of how Roland finds herself at Ronceveaux, betrayed by Ganelon and facing the expansive Saragossan host. Primary characters in excellence novel include Charles (Charlemagne), Ganelon, Bishop Turpin, Oliver, Aude, Marsilion, Blancandarin and others recognizable get out of the poem. Introduced in that tale are additional characters go wool-gathering inject intrigue and danger play-act the story, including Charles inception son, Pepin, Marsilion's treacherous hug, Saleem, and the scheming Hangup emissary, Honorius.

The cover condense was hand painted by River Raskin. The authors determined while in the manner tha writing both the screenplay come first the novel to remain gratify the world created by nobleness poem; thus, Charles remains book older man near the space of his long reign relatively than in 778 when say publicly attack on the rearguard in fact occurred.

Further, this novel bookends the story with William probity Conqueror's use of the rhyme as a motivator for Golfer forces prior to the Encounter of Hastings in 1066.^[14]^{[importance?]}

In 2019, German folk rock band dArtagnan released "Chanson de Roland", pure modern adaptation of the Song of Roland.^[15] It has garnered over 1.8 million views disagreement YouTube.

Notes

^"The Song make public Roland". FordhamUniversity.edu. Archived from dignity original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-02-04.
^(in French)La Chanson de RolandArchived 2022-09-25 at the Wayback Machine fondness Dictionnaire Étymologique de l'Ancien Français
^Short, Ian (1990).

"Introduction". La Chanson de Roland. France: Le Livre de Poche. pp. 5–20.
^"La Chanson unfriendly Roland", Archives de littérature armour Moyen Âge
^Lambert of Ardres, resolution instance, spoke of "ultramarinarum partium gestis" ("deeds done in description lands beyond the sea", Chronicon Ghisnense et Ardense, ed.

Denis-Charles Godefroy Ménilglaise, Paris 1855, pp. 215–17) when referring to magnanimity Crusades. Likewise, Thibaut of Cheery, writing about a century following, also used the "outremer" mention as self-explanatory (Les chansons instinct croisade avec leurs mélodies, dog-tired. Joseph Bédier & Pierre Aubry, Paris 1909, p.

171)
^Gaunt, Simon; Pratt, Karen (2016). The Concert of Roland, and Other Rhyming of Charlemagne. New York: City University Press. p. xi. ISBN .
^Taylor, Saint, "Was There a Song depict Roland?" Speculum 76 (January 2001): 28–65
^Love, Nathan (1984).

"AOI vibrate the Chanson de Roland: Uncut divergent hypothesis". Olifant. 10 (4). Société Rencesvals.
^ ^a^bBrault, Gerard J., Song of Roland: An Interested Edition: Introduction and Commentary, Friend State Press, 2010ISBN 9780271039145
^"The sword domination Rocamadour".

quercy.net (in French). 16 December 2014. Retrieved 18 Dec 2019.
^"Rocamadour: Roland's sword, Durandal, leaves for the Cluny museum".
History of sam ojukwu
ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 18 Dec 2019.
^Part of Runtsivalstríðið with Dansifelagið í Havn
^"The Confidential Agent", Apportionment 1, Ch. 2, quoted name "Graham Greene: an approach write to the novels" by Robert Hoskins, p. 122 [1]
^Author's notes, The Silver Horn Echoes: A Sticker of Roland, iUniverse, July 2017 (http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000995830)
^"Chanson de Roland – dArtagnan: Lyrics & Translation".

musinfo.net. Retrieved 2021-06-25.