King Marsiliun: Antagonist Of An Epic

a. King Marsiliun is the antagonist of this epic. He is the last king that Charlemagne has to conquer to acquire Spain. Undoubtedly, King Marsiliun’s small, pagan army could not withstand a war from Charlemagne’s vast and skilled militia, so he devised a plan to trick and weaken Charlemagne so Marsiliun and his army could victoriously attack them. Marsiliun sent his pagan servants into Charles’ domain to request that Charles return back to Aix where they would meet, and Marsiliun and his followers and bow down to Charlemagne and convert to Christianity. When Ganelon and Marsiliun’s men returned with Charlemagne’s answer, Marsiliun was outraged. Ganelon feared for his life at the hands of the enraged pagan king, so in ordered to save each other,
Marsiliun and Ganelon made a plan to attack the French army on their trek back to Aix and kill Roland, the right hand of Charlemagne and the heart of the French army. Ganelon promised that he would ensure Roland’s placement in the rear guard, in return Marsiliun gave him an abundance of wealth and gifts. Roland was in the rear guard as promise, and the Marsiliun’s army began their siege on the French. In the battle, Roland cut of Marsiliun’s right hand, symbolically cutting off his power and courage. After the pagan army battled the French army and were defeated, Marsiliun wept and mourned until the Emir of Babylon, Baligant, came to his rescue. Unfortunately for Marsiliun and his pagan followers, the French forces also defeated Baligant. Upon hearing the news of his countries overtaking, Marsiliun died of grief. The epic poet wrote, “When Marsiliun hears her he turns to the wall with tears running from his eyes, his head sinks, and he dies of sorrow with the weight of his sin upon him. His soul is given to the quick demons” (108).