A sample answer on English 10: Task 6: Understanding the Song of Roland

1. Task 6: UNDERSTANDINGTHESONGOF ROLAND
A. Describe the following characters in the epic.
Rolandreceives brief mention in
Einhard's accountof the
massacre at Roncesvalles.The
Song of Rolandtransformshim
into an epic hero, a model of
knighthoodfor the new era of the
Crusades.Rolandis hot-tempered
and bold, which wins both
criticism andpraise from his
friends. He is Charlemagne's
nephew and right-handman, and
he has conquered vastlandsfor
his liege lord. So important is he
to Charlemagne'sefforts that
Ganelonpromises the Saracens
thatCharlemagnewill lose the
will to fight if Rolanddies. Roland
also refuses, from the beginning,
to negotiate with the Saracens.
He sees the war againstIslam as
being a questionof religious
obligation. He is bold,but not
prudentor wise. Arguably,his
decision not to blow the oliphant
early in the battle at Rencesvals
leads to the deathsof twenty
thousandmen, among whom are
the very dearestof his friends.
And yet he is undeniablythe
poems most glamoroushero. His
death scene is one of the most
powerful and memorable scenes
in Frenchliterature, and his soulis
escorted to heaven by saints and
angels.
In The Song of Roland he
is made larger than life, a
hale warrior more than
two centuries old who
wearily continues to
battle against paganism.
Some have argued that
the poem should be
called The Song of
Charlemagne, as the
second half of the poem
is devoted to
Charlemagne's revenge
and the completion of his
conquest of Spain. At
times in the poem,
Charlemagne is a
combination of incredible
majesty and touching
vulnerability. He is
arguably the most
developed character of
the poem, a man of
unflagging faith and
loyalty who nonetheless
is weary of war and loss.
Roland's stepfather,
and traitor. Ganelon has
a deepresentment of
Roland that is never
completelyexplained in
the poem.Certainly
jealousy plays a factor,
as wesee that
Charlemagne treasures
Roland the twelve
peerswhile considering
Ganelon to be
expendable.He
conspireswith the
Saracens to kill Roland
and the whole
rearguard. He is also
bribedfor his treachery,
which links him to
Christianity's great
traitor, Judas.At the
end of the poem,he is
put to trial and
executedalong with
thirty of his kinsmen.

2. B. Answer the following questions and discuss with a partner.
1. What are the characteristics of the ideal knight according to “The
Song of Roland”?
Leadership and power are extremely important in the Song of
Roland. It was essential for a leader to be well-spoken, charismatic,
and strong. All the three are among the ideal characteristics of the
ideal knightduring the reign of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was
pleasant to foreigners, fond of his family, athletic and lively. However,
his major purpose as a ruler was defending the Christian religion.
“Roland was loyal, devoted and determined to be a good vassal.”(45)
This is an evidence to show that an ideal knight during Charlemagne’s
reign was to have character traits of loyalty, devotion, and
determination to carry out the duties expected of him. Ideal knights
were expected to defend their people and do all they could to keep
their people safe. Good evidence from the song of Roland is the fact
that “Roland fought to death ar Rencesvals.” Respect is another
characteristic of an ideal knightduring the reign of Charlemagne.
It is evident that despite the fact that Roland and Charlemagne were
both leaders, they greatly respected each other. An ideal knight
should be readily willing to die for his people. In the Song of Roland, it
is clear that Roland lost his life in an attempt to protect his people.
The poem indicates that “Roland’s own death, preceded by his
attempt to prevent the Oliphant from falling into enemy hand.” This
shows that Roland was not willing to lose to his enemies. A similar
case should apply to an ideal knight, who should not be willing to
surrender to his enemies. In conclusion, it is evident that Roland is a
perfect example that presents the characteristics of a good leaders
and an ideal knight.
2. Why was Ganelon very angry at Roland?
In the beginning, Ganelon was a traitor only because he was bought
by the gold of the pagans; later on, they rendered the situation more
interesting and at the same time increased the importance of Roland
by adding the motive of the hatred of Ganelon againstRoland.

3. 3. How do you feel aboutKing Charlemagne?Is he a wise king?
Explain.
Charlemagne, was king of the Franks and a committed,
militant Christian. A loyal allyof the pope and a great
conqueror, he forced conversions as he expanded the
boundaries of his empire outward from his central territory,
straddling present-day France and Germany. In 800 he was
crowned emperor by the pope, legitimizing his rule over the
former Roman empire in western Europe. After his death, he
became legendary; it is this legendary Charlemagne, the most
perfect Christian king, symbol of the spirit of the Crusades, and
favorite of heaven, who is presented in The Song of Roland as
leader of the Frankish troops and Roland's uncle and avenger.
His name means literally, "Charles the Great."
4. How do you feel aboutRoland?Why does he not sound the
Olifantto call King Charlemagne’s armyfor help at the very
beginning? Why do you think so?
Oliver counsels Roland to blow his Olifant horn, to call back
Charlemagne's main force, but Roland refuses. His refusal is
based upon a question of honor, dooming his army. Roland
refuses to be cautious. He states that because God is on their
side, they will crush the Moslems (in spite of the fact that the
Moslems outnumber them five to one). I believe Roland's
refusal is an act of pride based upon an over abundanceof
confidence, but I also believe in respecting the honor of
another.
5. What causes the death of Roland?
Roland died because of the Battle of Roncevaux, during the