The National Epic of France

1. By: Prof. M. L. D.

2. THE SONG OF ROLAND
• One of the earliest examples of the
OLD French “songs of deeds.”
• The earliest extant poem of
substantial length best known as
CHANSON DE GESTE
• It is considered as the national epic
of France
• It is said to be based on a historical
event during the time of
CHARLEMAGNE, the King of the
Franks from A.D. 768 – 814.

3. The epic shows the
SOCIAL ORDER in
France during the
middle ages and
that is to fight for
• GOD,
• KING, and
• COUNTRY.

4. CHANSON DE GESTE
[shahn-sawn duh zhest]
A French type of medieval narrative poem,
intended to be sung or chanted and purporting
to have some basis in French history

5. The Song of Roland
(La Chanson de Roland)
describes a series of
fabulous exploits,
usually involving
Charlemagne and his
Paladins, the Twelve
Peers

6. PALADIN(s)
are palace
officials or
protagonists
of a cause

7. ROLAND
• epic hero, a model of knighthood for the
new era of the Crusades;
• the king’s nephew and right-hand man;
• hot-tempered and bold
• his death scene is one of the most
powerful and memorable scenes in French
literature
• his soul is escorted to heaven by saints
and angels

8. OLIFANT
• ivory hunting horns made
from elephants' tusks;
• its distinctive blast can be
heard and be recognized
30 leagues away

9. Roland has a sword
named DURENDAL
and ANGEL GABRIEL
appears before him
at critical moment to
warn and to advise.

10. CHARLEMAGNE
the king of France and
the leader of crusades
who favored Roland;
in French history, he
was known as Charles
the Great.

11. OLIVER
Roland’s best friend;
brave but unlike
Roland,
he was prudent but
blunt in his manner
and action

12. GANELON
Roland’s stepfather who
was the cause of
destruction of Roland’s
army; conspires with the
King Marsilla to destroy
Roland

13. MARSILLA
The king who did
the conspiracy
with Ganelon

14. The epic was divided into
three parts:
•The TREACHERY
OF GANELON
•RONCESVALLES
[ron-suh-valz]
•The REPRISALS

15. SUBJECT MATTER:
•CUSTOMS,
MANNERS, and
ATTITUDE of
FRENCH
•FEUDAL
relationships and
loyalties

16. SUBJECT MATTER:
•The CRUSADES
•Warrior virtue of
VALOR
•FEUDAL VIRTUE
of LOYALTY

17. SUBJECT MATTER:
•CHRISTIAN
virtue of
HUMILITY
•The CROSS vs.
the CRESCENT

18. CONFLICTS:
•Between
CHRISTIAN truth
and heathen
error
•GANELON vs.
ROLAND

19. SYMBOLISMS

20. CHARLEMAGNE
Symbolizes
his country
and the
feudal system

21. GANELON
Symbolizes
treachery and
betrayal, envy
and jealousy

22. ROLAND
Symbolizes private
revenge and public
good which
treachery endangers;
also a symbol of
divine justice and
bravery

23. OLIVER
Symbolizes
wisdom
and
prudence

24. The CROSS
symbolizes
CHRISTIANITY
while the
CRESCENT
symbolizes
MUSLIM faith

26. Roland
suffered his
own
“hamartia”.
•Roland’s pursuit of glory
gave tragic results of his
recklessness.
•Roland’s desire for future
military fame induced him to
disregard the immediate
crisis.
•Roland’s choice to risk
destruction rather than the
possibility of being called a
coward.

27. THEMES:
• RIGHT AND TRUTH
TRIUMPH OVER THE
EVIL AND SIN.
• GOD’S WILL WILL
MAIFEST ITSELF
THROUGH COMBAT
OR DUET.