The Song of Roland Group

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low
low
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In "The Song of Roland", why was Roland killed by Marsile?

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Posted by low on Thursday November 27, 2008 at 4:11 AM and tagged with characters, epic, song of roland, summary, the song of roland.

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  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In "Song of Roland" Marsile doesn't kill Roland.  Roland is in battle and receives many wounds.  He is weakened and keeps fainting.  Oliver is wounded also and can't see well.  He strikes at Roland, but does not kill him.  He tells Roland he is sorry and they bow to each other.  Later, when Roland blows his oliphant so hard that he causes unrepairable damage.  He sits under a tree facing Spain and wants to confess his sins before he dies.  "He cannot help weeping and heaving great sighs; / But he does not wish to be unmindful of himself" (ll. 2381-2).  He confesses his sins and dies.  He dies from an accumulation of wounds from battle and from blowing his oliphant.

    Sources:
    http://omacl.org/Roland/
    http://www.enotes.com/chanson-de/part-2-summary
    http://www.enotes.com/chanson-de/roland

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Thursday November 27, 2008 at 10:30 AM