Literary Analysis

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Saint Leo University *

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202340

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Arts Humanities

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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The Song of Roland A Literary Analysis Brennan Pankratz Brennan Pankratz HIEU201_B07_202340 Professor Culpepper October 9th, 2023 “The Song of Roland” serves as a reminder that fealty to one's lord and land goes hand in 1Smith, Michael. “Monarchical Loyalty in the Middle Ages - a Key to Understanding the King Arthur Story.” Unbound . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://unbound.com/books/king-arthurs- death/updates/monarchical-loyalty-in-the-middle-ages-a-key-to-understanding-the-king-arthur- story#:~:text=The%20advantages%20of%20loyalty,personal%20freedoms%20were%20often %20restricted. 2“Song of Roland: Charlemagne (ca. 1050).” ABC . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://dailylife.abc-clio.com/.

hand with the virtues of duty and heroism. In this literary analysis, I will show that the purpose of “The Song of Roland” was to not only turn an embarrassing defeat into an epic story, but to further indoctrinate the common peasantry into undying loyalty to their lords and the church. The song of Roland” is a tale about the Battle of Roncevaux Pass where the rear guard of the french army was ambushed as revenge for Charlemagne's destruction of the city walls of pamplona. Charlemagne’s nephew, Count Roland, was too proud to call for his Uncle's aid, which ultimately resulted in the death of him and his men. The main forces of the army did turn around and drive back the attacking army, which turned the defeat into a victory, at the cost of Count Roland. The poem shows us that The image and the monarch was extremely important, as was loyalty to said monarch. “Monarchical Loyalty in the middle ages” states, “ Among the advantages of such positions were rich rewards of land, a guaranteed payment - whether a wage, regular payment or other reward – and accommodation. On the flipside, personal freedoms were often restricted. In an age of income uncertainty for many, such positions were highly valued and lightly surrendered. Loyalty to the king was crucial.” 1 Due to the fact that loyalty was so heavily incentivised, we can infer that it was incredibly important. In the context of this particular war, the Battle of Roncevaux Pass was more or less insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, artists at the time saw this as a great opportunity to paint their king as a hero, charging into danger to avenge the fallen, and strike down evil in the name of truth and justice. One could even argue that “The Song of Roland” is an early example of political propaganda. The song also 1Smith, Michael. “Monarchical Loyalty in the Middle Ages - a Key to Understanding the King Arthur Story.” Unbound . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://unbound.com/books/king-arthurs- death/updates/monarchical-loyalty-in-the-middle-ages-a-key-to-understanding-the-king-arthur- story#:~:text=The%20advantages%20of%20loyalty,personal%20freedoms%20were%20often %20restricted. 2“Song of Roland: Charlemagne (ca. 1050).” ABC . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://dailylife.abc-clio.com/.

serves to provide “proof” of Christian superiority compared to the Muslim Seracens. As seen by the song itself, “ Great was the heat, the dust arose and blew; Still pagans fled, and hotly Franks pursued. 3635 The chase endured from there to Saragossa. On her tower, high up climbed Bramimonde, Around her there the clerks and canons stood Of the false law, whom God never loved nor knew; Orders they'd none, nor were their heads tonsured. 3640 And when she saw those Arabs confused Aloud she cried: "Give us your aid, Muhammad! Ah! Noble king, conquered are all our troops, And the admiral to shameful slaughter put!" When Marsile heard this, towards the wall he looked, 3645 Wept from his eyes, and all his body stooped, So died of grief. With sins he was so corrupt; Live devils took his soul to Hell.” 2 This shows the importance of loyalty to religion as well, as the church in this time was also a means of controlling the population. The writers saw an opportunity to further push the authority of the church and the state. As Christians today, we can still appreciate the overall message in the text. While it’s important to not follow blindly, the virtues of loyalty, duty, and heroism are still important. We can follow the King’s example and “enact vengeance” on evil in our daily lives. Be it through diligent study of the scriptures, ernest prayer, or spreading the gospel. We can be warriors of christ and be an instrument in His hands and spread the truth that we know and hold dear to those less fortunate. Or, we can put ourselves in the position of the Count Roland, believing that we can fight the battle ourselves, without the help of our king, ignoring the advice of those around us. We can either follow Rolands example and perish, or we can heed the advice, blow the horn, 1Smith, Michael. “Monarchical Loyalty in the Middle Ages - a Key to Understanding the King Arthur Story.” Unbound . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://unbound.com/books/king-arthurs- death/updates/monarchical-loyalty-in-the-middle-ages-a-key-to-understanding-the-king-arthur- story#:~:text=The%20advantages%20of%20loyalty,personal%20freedoms%20were%20often %20restricted. 2“Song of Roland: Charlemagne (ca. 1050).” ABC . Accessed October 9, 2023. https://dailylife.abc-clio.com/.

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