Song of Roland Review Q2 PDF

SONG OF ROLAND 1.1 - The Medieval Period Medieval Period → a.k.a. Middle Ages or Dark Ages “Middle” ○ Between the fall of the Roman Empire & start of Renaissance “Dark” ○ Creates contrast w/ the Age of Enlightenment ○ Death of culture & science Black Plagu...

SONG OF ROLAND 1.1 - The Medieval Period Medieval Period → a.k.a. Middle Ages or Dark Ages “Middle” ○ Between the fall of the Roman Empire & start of Renaissance “Dark” ○ Creates contrast w/ the Age of Enlightenment ○ Death of culture & science Black Plague Rise of Feudalism Roman Empire - Eastern portion invaded by Germanic tribes Saxons Goths Vandals → settled into different parts of Europe → lacked a central form of authority → brought own traditions, culture, & beliefs → cultural diversity & unity → concept of nation & nationalism (gave rise to European nations) - Fell due to invasion, division, & corruption Roman Catholic Church - Survived the Roman Empire’s fall - Sought to survive & increase hold of Western Europe → sent out missionaries on conversion missions, seized territories - Church → became the unifying institution of a fragmented Europe - Fought for control against Islam Crusades - a.k.a. “The Holy Wars” - First Crusade started in 1095 AD w/ the order of Pope Urban II Promised eternal salvation and pardon Reclamation of the Holy Lands (Israel) Fight against “infidels” and “pagans” Feudalism - Economy & survival depended on agriculture  - Power constructed w/ hierarchical roles: Christianity Nobility Patriarchy - Way for noble Christian ruling classes to maintain control - Revolved around land ownership and alliances: Lord – landowner who grants a land, called fief, to a vassal in exchange for protection and other services Vassals – wealthy and powerful individuals who are usually nobles or church officials Knights – mounted horsemen who pledge allegiance and military service to their lord in exchange for a fief Peasants – landless who work the land in the manor Chivalry - Code for knights; set of ideals - Apart from being brave, they were expected to be: Loyal Courteous Protectors of the poor and weak Devotees to their heavenly Lord, feudal lords, and lady love - In reality, they were known to be perpetrators of abuse and murder - Knights exercised the will of the lord, often compromising peasants - Knights were the worst offenders → abuses both Islamic & Christian communities whilst carrying out “holy orders” 2.1 - Introduction Historical Basis “La Chanson de Roland” or “Song of Roland” ○ Notable example of “chanson de geste” or song of deeds Revolves around the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne Contains historical truths, but w/ embellished contents ○ Based on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 AD ○ REAL LIFE EVENTS: Charlemagne & troops were in Spain to intervene in a conflict between two Muslim Rulers Called back to France to address an uprising → destroyed several towns they passed through Roland (Charlemagne’s nephew), seneschal Eggihard, & count palatine Anselm → led the rear guard of their army; ambushed & killed by a group of Christian Basques who were victims of Charlemagne ○ ALTERED FACTS Christian Basques changed to Saracens or Muslims Eggihard and Anselm changed to Oliver & Archbishop Turpin ○ Unknown specific date; oldest manuscript in Old French dated between 1129 and 1165 AD kept in Oxford University ○ Unknown author → Turold Structure Considered an epic Structured for oral performance Length of the stanzas are not equal and lines do not rhyme Assonance → every stanza differs “Jongleur” (folk song singer) → puts own twist, signals the audience on the change of stanza Synopsis Muslim King Marsilion of Saragossa ○ Scared of King Charlemagne ○ Sends a messenger offering riches & conversion to Christianity if the Franks go back to their home country King Charlemagne ○ Agrees to Marsilion’s deal; looks for a messenger to relay the information ○ Roland (Charlemagne’s nephew) nominates his stepfather Ganelon Ganelon  ○ Gets enraged → feared that he will die at the hands of the Muslims ○ Thinks that Roland wants him dead (previous beef) ○ On the way to Saragossa… Enacts revenge against Roland by telling the Muslims a way to ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne’s army Roland ○ Leads the rear guard ○ Muslims attack & outnumber them ○ Oliver urges Roland to blow his olifant/oliphant (archaic spelling of elephant, act of blowing horn from an elephant’s tusk) to signal help from other Franks → Roland refuses ○ While it’s too late, Roland blows the horn for King Charlemagne to witness the ambush & avenge their deaths → King Charlemagne defeated the Muslims along w/ their ally, the Babylonians → realized the betrayal of Ganelon; engaged in trial by combat between his defender vs Roland’s defender → sentenced to die by being torn from limb to limb PLOT SEGMENT EVENT EXPOSITION CHRISTIANS VS PAGANS RISING ACTION PLOTTING OF GANELON’S TREACHERY CLIMAX BATTLE OF RONCEVAUX PASS FALLING ACTION DEFEAT OF THE FRANKS AND CHARLEMAGNE’S PYRRHIC VICTORY RESOLUTION GANELON’S DEFEAT AND CHRISTIAN’S VICTORY OVER PAGANS 2.2 & 2.3 - EXCERPTS (PT. 1 & 2) Opening King Charles (Charlemagne) ○ Mighty ruler, conquering Spain for seven years in the name of the Lord Sole exception: kingdom of Saragossa under King Marsilion → persists under Muslim rule Receives a message from Marsilion Offer for treasures & conversion if his army would go back to France Advisors are wary Count Roland Reminds his uncle that similar messages have been sent before Peace offerings often turn out to be betrayals Reminds that Count Basan & Count Basile (killed because of Marsilion’s treachery) must be avenged Ganelon Gives opposite advice Anyone who advises against King Marsilion’s peace offering is a fool King Charles sides with Ganelon → asks for a messenger Roland volunteers Ganelon Supported by the French → believed to be a wise man capable of accomplishing an important task Ganelon Gets angry as his life is put in danger Saddened his men → belief that their master is being treated unjustly On the Way to King Marsilion Ganelon befriends Blancandrin ○ Envoy of the Muslim King ○ Ganelon tells the King how he can kill Roland ○ Gets given great treasures & promise for more in exchange for the chance to fight Roland Return to King Charles Ganelon returns with “good news” ○ Muslim king allegedly intends to keep his promise (treasures, surrendering Saragossa, & conversion to christianity) Leave for France King Charles asks for a volunteer to guard the rear of the army Ganelon volunteers Roland → angers King Charles → Roland still accepts Roland & King Charles feel betrayal from Ganelon; Roland feels great fear Roland & soldiers pass through Roncevaux Pass Oliver Comrade of Roland  sees Saracens coming towards them → rightfully guessed that Ganelon betrayed them Describes the great number of “pagan” soldiers → warns the French Urges Roland to sound his Olifant ○ Would alarm King Charles & other Franks Roland refuses Archbishop Turpin Steps into amidst disagreement Encourages them & the rest of the army to be brave in the face of the Saracens Army is outnumbered by the Saracens → Roland sounds the olifant → Oliver is angered (sees as a senseless action) → Archbishop Turpin sides w/ Roland, for vengeance from King Charles Blood bursts from Roland’s mouth and temples King Charles & the army hears this ○ Ganelon tries to dissuade; insists that: There is no battle King Charles is already old Roland is full of pride France lies ahead of them → Protestations help them realize that he was the traitor Saracens Hear King Charles & army coming to Roland’s aid Become scared & strike Roland with whatever weapon they have Roland’s Death God sends angel Cherubin, Saint Michael, & Saint Gabriel → soul gets brought to Paradise French grieves over his death King Charles in great grief and rage Aftermath King Charles chase after Saracens → captures Saragossa despite King Marsilion enlisting the help of Babylonians Ganelon’s treachery is punished by death PRESENTATION (SONG OF ROLAND) Essential Question #1: To what extent does literature reflect the historical context in which it was created? - Song of Roland reflects military religious ethos (11th -12th century) - Song’s emphasis focuses on Charlegmagne’s role as a unifying figure for Christendom - Carolingian dynasty significantly influenced Western Europe politics - Empire fragmented under successors → prone to invasions like Vikings & Saracens Roman Empire (117 AD) - Composed of a lot of states (w/ obvious system of governance) - Fell due to: Corruption Division Invasion After the fall (KING CHARLEMAGNE ERA) - Deceased father made him inherit half of his kingdom → became whole after brother’s passing - Appointed son of God - King of the Franks → Germanic tribe invading the Western Roman Empire Although they were French, they still had Germanic language undertones Latin + German in the language Carolingian Empire - Under Charlemagne - Western Europe - Fragmented by the 12th Century - Despite fragmentation, Charles remained a prominent figure Middle Ages - Between fall of Roman & Renaissance - “Dark Ages” → economic & intellectual death Conceptualized by Italian scholar Petrarch relative to classical antiquity - 5th to 15th century Rise of Christianity Feudal Societies Proselytizing Christians  - Pope Urban II → initiated First Crusade in 1095 - Gains: Expansion of Christendom Increased Power and Prestige Strengthened Papal Authority - What soldiers would get in exchange: Protection Salvation Land & riches - Song of Roland predates the First Crusade, but still reflects how fighting for faith is a virtuous act and grant of fiefs Feudalism - Hierarchical structure highlighting loyalty & military service - Political, social, economic system - Operated with exchange (service in exchange for security and vice versa) - God → King → Knights → Clerics → Common Folk - Society was divinely ordained - Lands (fiefs) as payment for loyalty 1. King/Lords 2. Nobles/Vassals/Barons 3. Knights/Military 4. Peasants/Serfs Saint Fulbert of Chartres - April 10 feast day - Highlighted reciprocity of feudal systems - Developed the cathedral school into one of the Europe’s chief centers of learning Essential Question #2: How can a modern reader critically analyze a text from a different time period? - By studying further historical contexts about the Song itself La Chanson de Roland/Song of Roland - Anonymous Old French epic poem (11th - 12th century) - Chanson de gesta (Latin) / geste (French) - May be written by a certain Turold(us) - Historical inaccuracies: Based on Battle of Roncevaux Pass (778 CE) Essential Question #3: Does fiction affect the presentation of truth (history)? Who qualifies this? - Acknowledge translations Translations - 21 in different language - “Thus endeth here the Geste Turoldus sang” - “So ends the tale which Turold hath conceived” Plot Exposition: Christians vs Pagans ○ 1st Laisse (stanza) - typically has assonance ○ Introduces opposing forces (Marsilie and Charles): Laisses similaires = similar stanzas ○ AOI = mystery Rising action: Plotting of Ganelon’s Treachery ○ Ganelon and Blancandrin make a pact ○ Charlemagne mistakenly shakes it off Climax: Battle of Roncevaux Pass Falling action: Defeat of the Franks and Charlemagne’s Pyrrhic Victory Resolution: Ganelon’s Defeat and Christians’ Victory Over Pagans - Archbishop Turpin mirrors Pope Urban II Essential Question #4: How does literature explore heroism, loyalty, and betrayal  ~ SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS ~ SONG OF ROLAND (translated by Frederick Goldin) Laisse 1: - Charles/Charlemaigne, the French King has been in Spain for 7 years - Conquered everything, except Saragossa, held by King Marsilion - Charles/Charlemaigne is a Christian - King Marsilion is a Saracen, who serves Mahumet (Muhammad) and prays to Apollin (Apollo/Allah) Laisse 13: - Charles is with his Barons - Announces King Marsilion’s offer of riches and conversion to Christianity in exchange for his return back to Aix, France - The French people advise him to be on his guard Laisse 14: - Roland the Count (nephew of Charles): against Marsilion’s offer; recalls how 15 pagans sent by the Saracen King held olive branches (as a sign of peace) and was traitorous at the end, killing the two Counts Basan and Basile; asks for Charles to avenge their deaths Laisse 15: - Emperor thinks about what Roland said - All kept still except Ganelon (Roland’s stepfather); disagreed with Roland & agreed with Marsilion’s deal Laisse 20: - Emperor Charles calls upon his “noble knights” and asks for one man (baron) to be chosen as a messenger to King Marsilion - Roland steps up and nominates Ganelon; the French agree - Ganelon is enraged; confronted Roland and vows that if he ever returns, he will start a feud with Roland that will last until the end of his life - Roland dismisses it quite sarcastically, and offers to go in Ganelon’s place if the King wills Laisse 21: - Ganelon does not want for Roland to go as a messenger in his place claiming “You’re not my man, and I am not your lord” and further reiterates that Charles commanded  him to perform the service (he is jealous that Roland would look even more brave and noble) Laisse 27: - Count Ganelon goes away to his camp and chooses his battle-gear - Ganelon’s sword: Murgleis - Ganelon’s battle horse: Tachebrun - His uncle, Guinemer, held the stirrup - His men were in tears, exclaiming that he was in bad luck and did not deserve such fate - Cursed Roland, asked for Ganelon to bring them with him - Ganelon says “It is better that I alone should die than so many good men and noble knights” - Asked for the men to go back to France, greet his wife, and his dear friend Pinabel, and his son Baldewin Laisse 28: - Ganelon rides to a tall olive tree & joined the pagan messengers - Appears Blancandrin, who slows down for him - Blancandrin praises Charles for conquering Apulia, all of Calabria, crossing the salt sea to England, winning tribute, getting Peter’s pence for Rome, and asked what he wants from them - Ganelon answers that there will be no other man like him Laisse 30: - Blancandrin describes Roland as “a wild man”, wondering why men support him if he only wants to conquer - Ganelon answers that the French love him and will never fail him, saying that he’ll win lands from Saragossa to the Orient as the Emperor wishes Laisse 31: - Ganelon & Blancandrin pledged faith to one another and swore to find a way to have Count Roland killed - Met King Marsilion of Spain, surrounded by 20,000 Saracens Laisse 36: - Ganelon draws close and explains Charles’ offer which he tweaked: he says that if Marsilion will take the Christian faith, he will be given a half on Spain in fief while the other half goes to Roland - Says that if he refuses, he will be taken by force to Aix where he would be tried and beheaded - Puts the ‘Emperor’s letter’ in the King’s right fist Laisse 37: - Marsilion gets white with rage, breaks the seal & runs through the letter - The letter highlights the anger and grief of the King due to Basan and his brother Basile’s deaths, who were beheaded in the hills below Haltille; if King Marsilion wishes to live, he must send his uncle, the Algalife - Marsilion’s son Jurfaleu came up and called Ganelon mad and wishes to kill him - Ganelon swung his sword and set his back against the trunk of the pine Laisse 38: - King Marsilion went forth into the orchard, taking with him Blancandrin, Jurfaleu, and Algalife - Blancandrin asks to call Ganelon back, recalling the vow they made earlier to kill Roland - Ganelon was led into the orchard, and they planned treason (killing Roland) Laisse 39: - Marsilion apologizes to Ganelon for his anger and gives sable furs (w/ gold) as pledge of good faith Laisse 42: - Marsilion marvels at Charlemagne for being so old (allegedly over 200 years old) and still not being tired of war - Ganelon blames Roland for Charlemagne’s thirst for war; claims that as long as Roland lives, the King will continue to wage war - Ganelon enumerates the people making up the vanguard (making Charles secure and unafraid): Oliver (Roland’s best friend), Twelve Peers (including Roland and Oliver; Charles’ fav ppl), and 20,000 Frankish Men Laisse 44: - Marsilion asks Ganelon on how to kill Roland - Ganelon reveals that Charlemagne would be at Cize, where he would have his rear-guard at his back, including Count Roland, Oliver, and 20,000 Frankish Men - Ganelon advises him to send 100,000 pagans against the French army - Ganelon promises that after Roland is killed, there will be no more war Laisse 52: - Marsilion praises Ganelon for being brave and wise and promises wealth - Marsilion gives the “keys” to Saragossa to Ganelon to be presented to King Charles and orders him to ensure that Roland is assigned to the rear-guard Laisse 54: - King Charles rose early with Roland, Oliver, and Naimon the Duke; Ganelon arrived - Ganelon brings the keys to Saragossa, its treasures, and 20 hostages  - Claimed that the Algalife is dead and would have been brought to him otherwise; King Marsilion would follow him to France and take the faith and become his vassal, and hold Spain as a fief - King Charles thanks Ganelon and withdraws to France Laisse 56: - Charlemagne is asleep and dreams that he is at Cize, and Ganelon tore away his lance (spear) from his fists, shook it, and splinters from the shaft fly up Laisse 59: - Charles consult with his Barons to choose a man for the rear-guard - Ganelon nominates Roland, which angers King Charles, asks who would precede in the vanguard, to which Ganelon suggests Ogier of Denmark - Roland insists on continuing with the rear-guard Laisse 68: - Charles weeps for Roland, along with a hundred thousand Frankish men - Marsilion sends for the lords and sons of great lords (400,000 assembled in three days) - Mahumet was raised and the drums were beaten in Saragossa; all pagans adored and worshiped him Laisse 80: - Oliver sees the pagan army and called down to Roland and deduced that it was Ganelon’s doing - Roland got angry as he is still his stepfather and asked him not to say anything bad against him Laisse 81: - Oliver clearly sees Spain and the Saracens; went down from the hill and told all the French Laisse 82: - Oliver said he saw the 100,000 Saracens and warns the French Laisse 83: - Oliver pleads with Roland to sound his horn to call Charles and his army - Roland didn’t want to out of his fright - Roland’s sword: Durendal Laisse 84: - Oliver continues to plead with Roland but he continues to refuse Laisse 89: - Archbishop Turpin spurs his horse & preaches to the French to “die like good men for the King” and to confess their sins to save their souls; if they die in battle, they were promised to be holy martyrs - Archbishop blessed them in God’s name and commands them to strike Laisse 91: - Roland’s battle horse: Veillantif Laisse 93: - Aëlroth (Marsilion’s nephew) rides upfront and shouted insults - Roland is outraged and kills Aëlroth Laisse 105: - Roland and Oliver continue to strike - The Twelve peers continue to live and persevere - War cry of King Charles: “Munjoie” Laisse 110: - Noon is dark; many say it is the Last Day, Judgement Day, or The End of the World; really, it is the worldwide grief for the death of Roland Laisse 130: - Roland decides to sound the Olifant right when he was on the verge of death - Oliver gets angry and said it is too late - Oliver’s sister is Aude Laisse 131: - Oliver continues to blame Roland for the happenings Laisse 132: - Turpin overhears and begs them not to quarrel, but agrees with Roland to sound the olifant so that the French could avenge them Laisse 133: - Roland puts the Olifant and sounds it; the echo is heard thirty leagues away - The King hears it, Ganelon said it was a lie Laisse 134: - Ganelon continues to be in denial and says that Roland’s pride won’t allow it Laisse 135: - The King realizes it is Ganelon who betrayed them and rode towards Roland Laisse 136 & 138: - The French hope that Roland is still alive to fight alongside them, but they are too late Laisse 156: - Roland has a great wound in his head and a temple broken due to the horn - The King could sense that Roland is on the verge of death because of the feeble sound of the horn - He orders everyone to sound their trumpets - The pagans hear this and cry Laisse 160: - The pagans attack Roland’s possessions as a last resort, along with wounding Veillantif in 30 places, but never his flesh Laisse 161: - The pagans flee, but Roland cannot chase them because Veillantif is dead - Roland wishes to pay respect to their companions and not abandon; to set them in ranks side by side and know them once more Laisse 168: - Roland feels death is near - Prays to God and to the angel Gabriel - Climbs a hill and fainted there Laisse 169: - A Saracen comes toward Count Roland’s body, laid his hands and exclaims that Charles’ nephew is conquered - He got the Durendal and said that he’ll carry it home to Arabia Laisse 170: - As the Durendal was drawn, Roland opens his eyes and says “I don’t know you, you aren’t one of ours” - He grasps the olifant and strikes the Saracen with it Laisse 171: - Roland’s sight and color on his face are gone - Strikes ten blows against a dark rock, but the Durendal stands unmarked - He wishes that the new owner of the Durendal would be worthy and courageous Laisse 173: - Roland strikes one more and breaks, but the Durendal still does not break Laisse 176: - Roland lays stretched out beneath a pine with his face towards Spain and begins to recall his life, weeps, confesses his sins, and prays to God for mercy - He held out his right glove to God, which was taken by Saint Gabriel - Angel Cherubim and Saint Michael (w/ Saint Gabriel) bear Count Roland’s soul to Paradise Laisse 177: - Roland was dead when King Charles rode into Rencesvals - King began looking for the Twelve Peers and wept in grief and rage, along with 20,000 French and Duke Naimon Laisse 180: - The pagans flee while the French chased after them - They call on Tervagant (one of their gods), but no god is with them - The French cry out “Curse the day you saw Roland!” - King Marsilion loses his right hand in the battle with Charles but escapes to Saragossa and enlists the aid of Balignant, another pagan - Balignant is killed in combat, and the King returns home after capturing Saragossa Laisse 270: - Emperor comes home to Aix; Ganelon is in iron chains - Pinabel threatens to kill anyone who recommends that Ganelon be hanged - Charles is enraged when the advisers suggest freeing Ganelon - Tierri volunteers to fight Pinabel; when he won, the French agree that Ganelon must die Laisse 289: - Four war horses are led out for each of Ganelon’s limbs - He was pulled to pieces - Ganelon died a traitor and recreant