The Song of Roland (idea)

Enrolled by Roland: A look at the Role The Song Of Roland played in the Feudal System

The Song Of Roland is an epic poem centering on Charlemayne and his nephew, one of his strongest and most loyal vassals, Roland. It follows the tragic end of Roland’s life, and Charlemayne’s bloody vengeance over his murderers. In the feudalistic Europe of the middle ages, tales such as The Song Of Roland played many integral roles. It showed how the knights were supposed to behave, the brotherhood that men of the warrior class shared, and it also built up a strength and belief in Christianity.

In the epic, the knights were always focused on honor, whether it was for themselves, their liege, nation, family or their brethren. The majority of this honor was found on the battlefields, and kept in duels. Roland follows this to the fullest, after deciding not to call for help, even though his army was greatly outnumbered, he said “May never God allow // That I should cast dishonour on my house // Or on fair France bring any ill renown!” . Roland follows with, “God and His angels forbid it now, I pray, // That e’er by me fair France should be disfamed! // I’d rather die than thus be put to shame; // If the king loves us it’s for valour’s sake.” . Through his words, Roland acts as a good military leader. He manages to build morale and rally his troops even though one of his good friends is questioning his decision. Roland also shows that he is the best knight through not only his physical prowess on the battlefield, but also by upholding the names of who he cares for, his liege, his homeland, his religion, and his fellow knights. Even something that modern people have become numb to, such as a simple insult, does not go unnoticed by Roland, who, upon hearing a Paynim insult Charlemayne, charges forthright and smites the Paynim with a gory blow. However, Roland's killing spree's are not the only example of honor in the poem. Even his enemies, the Paynims, spoke of how well they would honor their liege by slaying Roland. Yet the author portrays the Paynims as looking for personal glory, more than honor, through the death of Roland,

Roland showed very little selfishness throughout the poem. He never fought for his own glory, and was always to the aid of his brethren.

The Song Of Roland had three main knights under Charlemayne’s control, Roland, Olivere, and the Archbishop Turpin. These three knights expressed a bond with each other that most people cannot even comprehend. It was more than the positive banter after one had slain a foe, “Cries the Archbishop: ‘This feat was knightly done!’” . Through the battle they fought, and together they fought,

The bonds between the knights trapped in that ambush seemed so strong that Charlemayne’s force became even more powerful when one of their own fell, “Archbishop Turpin hails the Paynim: ‘God send the worst to thee! // Thou hast slain one for whom my whole heart grieves.’ // into a gallop he urges his good steed, // He strikes him hard on his Toledo shield, and lays him dead upon the grassy green.” . The fight carries on, and soon Roland’s forces are few and far between. Still, in the heat of battle Roland has enough sense to realize his friend is in need and is able to talk and pray for him as Olivere is taking his last few breaths. No man would drop what he’s doing to help or be with a friend unless there was a strong bond between the two. Even when Roland’s force is down to just Roland and the Archbishop, Roland shows the true strength in brotherhood,

Roland cares so much about his fellow comrades that he willingly would dismount to fight alongside the Archbishop, than to stay on his horse and maybe have a better chance at survival.

Whether the intent of the war was one of land, or of vengeance, the religions of the two warring parties quickly became tied in. Both sides of the struggle prayed near constantly to their respective God or Gods for favor in the battles. The Paynims would curse the Christian forces of Charlemayne at almost every duel, trying to incite the wrath of Muhoud or Apollo upon them. Whereas Charlemayne and his forces would remain close in touch with the Christian God, sending their prayers and grievances to him. Charlemayne often had visions of angels in his dreams, guiding him and helping him, similar to the Gods of the ancient Roman epics. The Song Of Roland was also written with a pro-Christian mindset. When describing the Emir who took the place of the wounded King Marsalis, the author wrote “His valour proved in battle o’er and o’er, // Were he but Christian, God! What a warrior!”

One could consider The Song Of Roland as a form of the proper rules of conduct for a knight in Medieval Europe. Roland is pious, honorable, brotherly and almost undefeatable. He builds off of the fight in his allies and his belief in his God. Roland shows the utmost respect when respect is due, and the vilest of hatred towards his enemies. The Song Of Roland shows how a just and fair knight should be treated, in life and after his untimely death. It takes into account all of the major aspects of knighthood, wraps them into a character which the reader can rally behind and cheer for. Throughout this glimpse of Roland’s life, much can be learned easily by reading his actions, and the actions of those around him, and those who care for him. In Roland’s life, a better knight could not be found, and in his death, a better story cannot be told.