The Song of Roland

The greatest French epic and a landmark of medieval literature, The Song of Roland, is the earliest existing example of the song of deeds. It created an enormously popular genre in Europe in the middle ages and after. In its celebration of heroic deeds and feudal chivalric ideals, The Song of Roland reveals much about the culture of which it is a product, is invaluable to historians in its depiction of the evolution of ethics and Christianity, and is prized for its literary merit and beauty. Written in a dialect, it blends legend and romance with historical explanation in telling the tale of Charlemagne's nephew, the beloved knight Roland and his death in the Pyrenees when the King and his men are returning home from a seven-years-long Spanish campaign. Historians believe the story was told for inspiration, to help recruit troops to battle. The Song of Roland has been compared in importance to the Iliad and its depiction of honor and courage has fascinated readers for centuries.

Out of all of the readings we have done so far this one is definitely my favorite. I really like the way the whole story matches together and how you can see it had a rhythm that made it into a memorable song. What strikes me the most is just how much it emphases the loyalty and bravery that these men were accustomed to. Since this was written down during the time of the Christian Crusades, it is still easy to see why this story would be so influential and have such great meaning to warriors of the period. Charlemagne and his knights are fighting in Spain against pagans and the new Islamic power, in the name of Christianity. By showing that the battle is between the different religions started hundreds of years before the Crusades, somehow it almost gives a reason that why the Crusades are the right thing to do. The faithful men show his loyalty to Roland and then Roland shows to his lord Charlemagne, which give a sense of what it means to be a true knight in war. A true knight puts