The Song Of Roland Analysis

Medieval scholars continually inspect the particularities of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (SGGK) within the context of the preexisting Gawain literary tradition, and the issue of Gawain’s sudden antifeminist diatribe repeatedly comes to the forefront of these textual investigations. Often, literary critics claim that Gawain’s antifeminist outburst is common for the fourteenth century and that his acceptance to wear the girdle as a sign of shame still epitomizes him as a model of knighthood. Other scholars hesitate to dismiss Gawain’s misogyny as commonplace, they note that this moment is inconsistent with his reputation as an ideal knight. Gawain’s hasty compulsion to blame women suggests ruptures within the essentiality of his chivalric identity and a closer examination of the text reveals that this moment is not isolated. Despite scholars repeated attempts to identify the essential knight within Gawain, there are several examples of Gawain’s unstable identity throughout the text. I will argue Sir Gawain’s knightly identity is performative rather than essential, and his diatribe is the culmination of his failure to perform his own expected social identity.

In the stories he tells, the word hate appears quite frequently. It is sometimes used about his father. “I saw nothing very clearly but I did see this: that my life, my real life, was in danger, and not from anything other people might do but from the hatred I carried in my own heart.” (72) This hatred he talks about exists towards his father. Other factors contribute too, but are not as often told.

The occident, which are the Franks, had a strong spiritual wealth. Their plans were to do anything they had to do to get closer to God. The orient or the Saracens were more worried about physical wealth. When Ganelon converted to the Saracens he was offered tangible things such as a sword instead of blessings or access to heaven. The Franks are very heavenly and consistently trying to figure out what they have to next to get into heaven. The Saracens are Earthly and are constantly trying to gain wealth on Earth. This brought upon conflict within the story by creating a division between morals and values of the

Hate is one very important idea examined in Romeo and Juliet and is explored by Juliet when she states ‘Here's much to do with hate, but more with love’ (1.1.166). William Shakespeare conveys the consequences of hate in his play through the ancient feud between the Capulet’s and the Montague’s, the irrational decisions made and the deaths that resulted. It is the ancient feud between the two families that lead to the irrational decisions made by Romeo and Juliet as well as their demise. It is questionable as to whether Romeo and Juliet’s lives would be spared if their families were not feuding.

The conflict is between Roland and the man in black. Roland is just trying to chase down the man in black and to bring the man justice. There are multiple times within the story where Roland is persistent to hunt him down. Unfortunately he finds out that the man in black is insignificant and that there is a greater enemy than him. “I’m the furthest minion of who now rules the Dark Tower, and Earth has been given into that king’s red hand.” (238)

By confessing your failings you are free from fault…” In essence, this is how the whole ordeal of sin and confession is handled in Christian theology. It is about admitting to someone higher than ourselves of our ill and bad behavior, our wickedness and depravity, which can be very hard to do—especially today. Therefore, what heightens the role of Christianity in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is shown not by the characters announcing that Christ is our Lord and Savior or by them praying before dinner and attending mass early in the morning; it is shown about the clear fear and vulnerability of our young, charming protagonist and by him confessing those fears and vulnerabilities. It is not by accident, I think, that Sir Gawain is made out to be such a charismatic, overall likeable character in the story. He is popular with the kings and the huntsmen, and his company is enjoyed by the ladies and the servants. In other words, he is the ideal figure, and this only creates a greater need to take pause, reflect, and to understand one’s humanly role in a world created by something far greater than

“Easing My Heart Inside” is a personal essay written by Terry McMillan on how she eventually became a writer without having a “conscious decision.” In her essay, she mentions the events, authors and their books that made the person who she is now. The focus McMillan is trying underlay to the readers is that simply, “shit just happens.” She points out how people’s experiences and hobbies could eventually lead them to have an unexpected career. When McMillan was in High School she got a job shelving books at her local library. This was the beginning of her “travels” with the authors she met while reading. While in her exploration she met people with similarities to her. They were Amelia Earhart, Robert Frost, John Steinbeck and with James

Gawain, a knight of the famed King Arthur, is depicted as the most noble of knights in the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Nonetheless, he is not without fault or punishment, and is certainly susceptible to conflict. Gawain, bound to chivalry, is torn between his knightly edicts, his courtly obligations, and his mortal thoughts of self-preservation. This conflict is most evident in his failure of the tests presented to him. With devious tests of temptation and courage, Morgan le Fay is able to create a mockery of Gawain’s courtly and knightly ideals. Through the knight Gawain, the poem is able to reveal that even knights are human too with less than romantic traits.

Ganelon’s main force of motivation was implementing revenge on Roland. Though that is somewhat understandable seeing as Roland had previously volunteered Ganelon to take part in an extremely dangerous task. A task which Ganelon agreed to take on for the sake of maintaining his honor. However, before he embarked on his journey he threatened Roland three times, which would later allow him to kill Roland in a legal, but more importantly honorable, way. When Ganelon returned from his journey unharmed he took it upon himself to rid the world of Roland. He appointed Roland to the army rear-guard where his recklessness would surely bring his life to an end. But to his consternation, Roland ultimately chose to blow the horn which signaled for help. Eventually, Ganelon’s vengeful spirit got the best of him and Charlemagne realized his plans for Roland and swiftly punished him; for Charlemagne had been far too trusting in previous times.

In “A Scandal in Bohemia” by Arthur Conan Doyle, social classes took a big influence on who avoided punishments. Irene Adler, a strong and intelligent women accused Sherlock Holmes and the King of Bohemia with serious charges. Sherlock Holmes is a man who loathes being apart of society and keeps to himself. He is a detective well known with intelligent skills. The King of Bohemia is Holmes client, and former lover of Irene Adler. In attempt to recover a photograph that is crucial to the king of bohemias reputation, Sherlock Holmes as well as the King of bohemia are both charged with stalking and attempted robbery. In addition to this, further investigations take action and deduce charges of possession and the use of drugs against Sherlock Holmes, as well as plotting to throw a smoke bomb through Irene Adler’s window. As for the King of Bohemia, he is also charged with treason.

To many, the allure of poetry lies in the chance to draw our own understandings and conclusions. In this paper, I will be discussing T.S Eliot 's "The love Song of Alfred Prufrock” in comparison to Allen Ginsberg 's "A Supermarket in California." The first poem, "The Love song of Alfred Prufrock" by T.S Elliot, talks about a man who is quite doubtful and insecure about himself who kept questioning whether or not breaking out of his comfort zone was worth it. The second poem, "A Super market in California" by Allen Ginsberg follows a trip to a supermarket in California that the author takes while addressing his friend with questions. This paper will include an extensive analysis of my own interpretation of these two poems as well as the

Sestinas Song of Evil So much evil. The awkward moments of disconnection.

Roland’s display of pride at the beginning of the poem sets the events in motion for the knight’s downfall. For Roland proudly suggests that his stepfather, Ganelon, represent King Charlemagne as the French messenger. Ganelon reacts furiously because his own

In Song of Roland, the ideas of chivalry and loyalty to one’s king are central. Throughout the text, the author uses the concepts of good versus evil, shown by the Christians versus Muslims, as well as loyalty versus treason, shown by Roland versus Ganelon, to highlight and exemplify the ideals of the code of knighthood. The main character, Roland, is often presented as being an exemplary knight; he personifies the conventional chivalric values of the time such as bravery and loyalty, but he also struggles to balance these values in order to be a responsible leader. Roland is in stark contrast to his stepfather, Ganelon, as well as being in slight contrast to his close friend, Oliver. These contrasts of character come to a climax as the battle against the Muslim army at Roncesvalles begins; Oliver and Roland debate over whether they should call the king to help them, leading to the eventual demise of the French army. This specific scene brings to light the ideological dilemma of bravery versus wisdom and logic, by utilizing Roland as an example of the former, and Oliver of the latter. Roland, as evidenced by this situation, displays perfect loyalty to one’s king and God by being incredibly brave in the face of danger, making sacrifices that he sees are necessary, and fought valiantly until his death, all the while keeping the utmost faith in his God and king.

King Charlemagne talks to his trusted council about a peace offer from the Saracens. Roland, in response to this announcement, warns Charlemagne, “Trust Marsilion—and suffer” (196). He reminds King Charlemagne that Marsilion has already betrayed their trust when he killed the French counts, Basan and Basile and does not believe that Marsilion is trustworthy. King Charlemagne however, does not agree and has decided to send someone from his march to bring his agreement to Marsilion. Setting aside personal feelings, as a great knight should be able to do in times of war, Roland nominated Ganelon to deliver the message. Roland, remembering the deaths of the previous counts that were murdered, realizing that if this was going to work said, “We need a wise man to bring the message” (294). Roland puts asides his personal feelings and acts