The following is the plot of the Song of Roland from Wikipedia:
"Charlemagne's army is fighting the Muslims inSpain. The last city standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim king Marsilla. Threatened by the might of Charlemagne's army of Franks, Marsilla sends out messengers to Charlemagne, promising treasure and Marsilla's conversion to Christianity if the Franks will go back to France. Charlemagne and his men, tired of fighting, accept his peace offer and select a messenger to Marsilla's court. Protagonist Roland nominates his stepfather Ganelon as messenger. Ganelon, who fears to be murdered by the enemy and accuses Roland of intending this, takes revenge by informing the Saracens of a way to ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, led by Roland, as the Franks re-enter Spain through the mountain passes.
As Ganelon predicted, Roland leads the rear guard, with the wise and moderate Oliver and the fierce Archbishop Turpin. The Muslims ambush them at Roncesvalles, and the Christians are overwhelmed. Oliver asks Roland to blow his olifant to call for help from the Frankish army; but Roland proudly refuses to do so. The Franks fight well, but are outnumbered, until almost all Roland's men are dead and he knows that Charlemagne's army can no longer save them. Despite this, he blows his olifant to summon revenge, until his temples burst and he dies a martyr's death. Angels take his soul to Paradise.
When Charlemagne and his men reach the battlefield, they find the dead bodies of Roland's men, and pursue the Muslims into the river Ebro, where they drown. Meanwhile Baligant, the powerful emir of Babylon, has arrived in Spain to help Marsilla, and his army encounters that of Charlemagne at Roncesvalles, where the Christians are burying and mourning their dead. Both sides fight valiantly; but when Charlemagne kills Baligant, the Muslim army scatters and flees, and the Franks conquer Saragossa. With Marsilla's wife Bramimonde, Charlemagne and his men ride back to Aix, their capital in France.
The Franks discover Ganelon's betrayal and keep him in chains until his trial, where Ganelon argues that his action was legitimate revenge, not treason. While the council of barons assembled to decide the traitor's fate is initially swayed by this claim, one man, Thierry, argues that, because Roland was serving Charlemagne when Ganelon delivered his revenge on him, Ganelon's action constitutes a betrayal. Ganelon's friend Pinabel challenges Thierry to trial by combat, in which, by divine intervention, Thierry kills Pinabel. The Franks are convinced by this of Ganelon's villainy; wherefore he is torn apart by galloping horses and thirty of his relatives are hanged."
Roland was a military leader during the time of Charlemagne. His position was to oversee the border with Brittany. But he was involved in the action in the Pyrenees, when Charlemagne was securing the border with Spain. A part of the Frankish army was ambushed by Basques high in the mountains, the Frankish soldiers were killed, and a baggage train was taken. Roland died in this action. The story of Roland became important with the passing of time, and the Song of Roland was composed to tell the story in the 11th century. It attained a literary importance similar to that of stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
The "Song of Roland" is significant in history as it is one of the oldest and most important works of French literature, reflecting the values of chivalry and feudal loyalty during the medieval period. It recounts the tale of Roland, a heroic knight, and his valiant stand against overwhelming odds at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, symbolizing the struggle against external threats to Christendom. Additionally, it serves as a cultural artifact, illustrating the ideals of bravery, honor, and sacrifice that were prevalent in the era, influencing both literature and the concept of heroism in Western tradition.
Roland and Lancelot are both iconic heroes in their respective narratives, embodying ideals of bravery and chivalry. Roland, from "The Song of Roland," is celebrated for his unwavering loyalty and courage, notably in his stand at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, where he sounds his horn to summon help, even at the cost of his life. Lancelot, from Arthurian legend, is renowned for his prowess in battle and romantic devotion, particularly in his quest to rescue Guinevere and his pivotal role in the Knights of the Round Table. Both heroes value honor, loyalty, and the nobility of their causes, yet they also grapple with personal desires and the consequences of their actions.
The tale of Roland is a famous one. According to legend, Roland was a paladin in service of Charlemagne. After Charlemagne was returning from campaigning against the Spanish Islamic states, his rearguard, commanded by Roland, was ambushed in the Pass of Roncesvalles. Roland had a famous horn, given him by Charlemagne, that he was to sound in case of trouble to bring back the army. Roland refused to call the army back into a trap, and did not sound the horn until the very end, when all his knights were dead, and he was dying. Charlemange rode into the pass to find his faithful retainer and his entire rearguard dead, but the majority of the vastly larger ambushing force killed also. This last stand has become a famous tale.
Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.Men fought for control of the empire for one basic reason: power.
LISTEN TO THE SONG OF ROLAND THE THOMPSON GUNNER BY WARRON ZEVON THE ANSWER IS THERE
his boldness
the three parts of epic: -the treachery of Ganelon -Roncesvalles -the Reprisals
The Song of Roland is set in Europe during the reign of Charlemagne and is based on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778. The story takes place in various locations including Spain, France, and the Pyrenees Mountains.
He dies.
Song of Roland
his sense of pride.
I believe it is Roland. I could be wrong though. :)
Roland's boldness is his tragic flaw.
ttt
the song of roland
The summary of the song of Roland basically talks about the Charlemagne's army which is fighting the Muslims in Spain.