The Song of Roland Criticism
The Song of Roland, or La chanson de Roland, stands as a seminal piece of medieval literature and the earliest known example of the chanson de geste, a celebrated genre portraying heroic deeds. Composed around 1170, this French epic blends history with legend to recount the valiant exploits of Charlemagne's nephew, Roland, culminating in his fateful stand against Saracen forces in 778. As noted by W. S. Merwin, the tale has evolved into legend through its retelling, encapsulating themes of honor and bravery that echo the ethical and religious values of its time.
The narrative follows Charlemagne's army, weary from years of battle in Spain, as they are betrayed by Ganelon, Roland's treacherous stepfather. Ganelon's scheme results in the ambush of Roland and his rear guard, a dramatic episode where Roland's refusal to summon aid until it is too late highlights the epic's exploration of pride and duty. In its broader strokes, as Peter Haidu suggests, the poem examines the complexities of loyalty and heroism, through Roland's ultimate sacrifice and Charlemagne's subsequent revenge, which symbolically crushes the vestiges of pagan resistance.
Thematically, The Song of Roland delves into heroism, bravery, and the interplay of free will and divine grace, as explored by E. Zimroth. Critics like Eugene Vance have noted the poem's sophisticated use of formulaic language to convey its themes, while Gerard J. Brault and others examine the epic's role in the propagation of Christian ideology and its historical context.
Critical discourse on the poem also involves its textual history, with the Oxford manuscript being the most venerable version, seen as a window into the tradition of oral poetry. Scholars such as Hans E. Keller debate its composition date and purpose, seeing it as a potential tool for Capetian propaganda. The question of authorship remains unresolved, with theories ranging from collective oral tradition to the genius of an individual poet. Despite these ambiguities, The Song of Roland remains a critical touchstone in the study of medieval literature, continuing to inspire through its depiction of chivalric valor and its enduring moral dilemmas.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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Formulaic Language and Heroic Warfare
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Vance explains how the author of The Song of Roland uses traditional verbal formulas while managing to convey contradictions and abstractions in the poem.
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Introduction to The Song of Roland
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Merwin outlines Charlemagne's disastrous battle in the Pyrenees in which Roland was killed and describes how the tale of the defeat, through retelling, eventually achieved legendary status.
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Grace and Free Will in the Chanson de Roland
(summary)
In the following essay, Zimroth analyzes the interrelationship in The Song of Roland between predeterminism, free will, and divine grace.
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The Song of Roland: A Mid-Twelfth Century Song of Propaganda for the Capetian Kingdom
(summary)
In the following essay, Keller considers and rejects various dates of composition for The Song of Roland, advances his own timeline for its development, and contends that its chief purpose was to advance the interests of the Capetian kingdom.
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Introduction to “The Song of Roland”: An Analytical Edition, Vol. 1: Introduction and Commentary
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Brault discusses the historical, political, and religious background to The Song of Roland.
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Introduction to The Song of Roland
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Goldin explains the roles of history, Christianity, and loyalty in understanding the world of The Song of Roland.
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‘Nostre Franceis n'unt talent de füir’: The Song of Roland and the Enculturation of a Warrior Class
(summary)
In the following essay, Benton examines how the treatment of war in The Song of Roland inspired soldiers in the twelfth and twentieth centuries.
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Roland and the Poetics of Memory
(summary)
In the following essay, Vance analyzes the narrative patterns of The Song of Roland and explains its emphasis on commemoration.
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Funerary Rituals in the Chanson de Roland
(summary)
In the following essay, Haidu explores how Charles breaks with tradition in his reaction to Roland's death.
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Formulaic Language and Heroic Warfare
(summary)
- Further Reading