The Song Of Roland Essay

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The Song of Roland culminates its climax into the dramatic death of Roland, having been cut open by the Spanish King his death is long and drawn out and even though it is a powerful moment it is hard to call the events leading up to the battle anything but preventable. Firstly, the characters; Roland is a strong, proud, and capable man, he is one of France’s twelve peers, both nephew to the King and his most favored. Held in such a high regard by everyone around him, Roland strives to never disappoint and is determined to emerge victorious from anything the Spanish throw at him. Oliver, another peer and Roland’s companion, is as equally capable as Roland, but where Roland is rash and impulsive Oliver is calm and collected. Acting as the …show more content…
Roland, left with only a handful of men, is guarding the rear of the King’s forces while every Frenchman waits for the Spaniards to attack. From atop a grassy hill Oliver first spots the massive numbers of the pagans and tells his warning to Roland and the troops. Yet as this warning goes through Roland it only serves to embolden his spirit, a questionable way to look upon certain death, as he begins to rally the troops in the same way his is. Showing some common sense, Oliver pulls Roland over to the side and on lines 1049 to 1052 says; “The pagan force is great; from what I see, our French here are too few. Roland, my companion, sound your horn then, Charles will hear it, the army will come back.” Yet, if this is the more sound option why does Roland immediately refuse? Well to look back at his character Roland is far too prideful and confident, he sees the pagan force as an easy challenge that a man like himself would never run from, let alone a Christian man. Roland has been raised up a chivalrous man, one whom values his honor above all else, so much that he is willing to die where he stands than to trumpet his loss back to the King. Despite his better judgement Oliver respects Roland’s decision as the pagans approach the French rear guard engage the
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