The Song Of Roland

Considered one of the premier epic poems, “The Song of Roland” gives the reader great insight of what life was like, specifically the prominent role of religion and social structure, during the reign of Charlemagne (768-814). The poem revolves around the battle between Charlemagne’s army against the Muslims in Spain. Purpose of the war was for Charlemagne and his army to “free” the country from the impending Muslim threat. Although we do not know the creator of “The Song of Roland” or the exact date of its creation, it is widely believed that the poem was written at about 1100. Some scholars have even gone as far as to characterize the poem as a form of propaganda, in a sense, to encourage Christians to join the battle against Islam. The
This aspect of the epic poem, is significant because it indicates ways of understanding the hierarchy of the middle ages, at least as it’s presented in “Song of Roland”. During this time period there was a feudal system, with God at the top, Charlemagne just under him as his vassal and the subsequent “levels” of vassals below the king, who was seen as a direct line to God. It is also important to point out that the success of the vassals is dependent on their loyalty. This point becomes evident when Oliver informs Roland that a battle with the Saracens seems imminent and Roland boldly replies, “And may God grant it to us. It is our duty to be here for our king: For his lord a vassal must suffer hardships and endure great heat and great cold” (Song of Roland, 61). While it may seem that the relationship between the lord and his vassal is a one-way street in which the vassal serves and protects the lord with nothing in return, it is noted that the lord provided the weaponry for his vassal to fight. “Strike with your lance and I with Durendal, my good sword, which was a gift from the king” (Song of Roland, 64). It is also noted that it is also the lord’s duty to avenge the deaths of his vassals. “It is the emperor’s duty to avenge us. King Marsile has struck a bargain for our lives; but he will pay for it with the
This is simply a result of their disbelief in the Christian view of God. Considering this tale is from the perspective of Roland, a Christian, it is obvious that the Muslims will be seen as heretics. The hatred of the Saracens goes as far as the extent of claiming that when the Muslims die in battle, rather than their soul being carried into heaven as a deceased Christian would, “the pagan fall to the ground in a heap; his soul is carried off by Satan” (Song of Roland, 69). As the poem goes on it becomes apparent that the hatred towards the Saracens does not end there and the reader eventually sees instances of racial slurs and discrimination. When describing Marsile’s men the narrator delves into their dishonorable character and supposed vile looks of the Muslims. “A man of evil traits and mighty treachery. He does not believe in God, the son of the Virgin Mary and is as black as molten pitch. He loves treachery and murder” (Song of Roland, 76). By vowing faithfulness to a different, “pagan” God, they are represented as being out of the Lord’s