The Song of Roland | Essays and Criticism

  • Aspects of the Epic and its Basis in Historical Fact

    In the following essay, Ramey discusses such aspects of the epic as its basis in historical fact, as well as the national, political, religious, and racial biases of the anonymous author.

  • The Epic

    Below, Duggan provides an historical overview of the beginnings of French literature in the chansons de geste, or "songs of great deeds," the great epic poems of which The Song of Roland is the "acknowledged masterpiece of the genre." He notes the origins of this form in oral, or recited, poetry, and notes that these works were often based on actual events and individuals. Duggan discusses the way that epic poems were used propagandistically, to glorify national heroes, to find historical precedence for current events, and to popularize specific social, political, or religious points of view. Duggan comments that The Song contributed to the mindset that led to the Crusades and served as a ''foundation myth'' about the beginnings of French nationalism.

  • Aude and Bramimunde: Their Importance in the Chanson de Roland

    In the following excerpt, Harrison compares the two main women characters from The Song of Roland. She notes that Roland's fiancee Aude is described as having typically desirable "feminine'' traits: she is beautiful, faithful, and devoted, and is identified primarily in terms of her relationships with male characters. In contrast, the anonymous author depicted the Saracen queen Bramimunde as a strong, active, indepedent individual, who is in fact the only surviving Saracen discussed by name in the Song.