THE SONG OF ROLAND (Epic Poem)
THE SONG OF ROLAND (Epic Poem) Summary
Summary
Charlemagne's army is fighting the Muslims in Spain.
The last city standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim king
Marsilla. Terrified of the might of Charlemagne's army of
Franks, Marsilla sends out messengers to Charlemagne,
promising treasure and Marsilla's conversion to Christianity
if the Franks will go back to France. Charlemagne and his men
are tired of fighting and decide to accept this peace offer. They
need now to select a messenger to go back to Marsilla's court.
The bold warrior Roland nominates his stepfather Ganelon.
Ganelon is enraged; he fears that he'll die in the hands of the
bloodthirsty pagans and suspects that this is just Roland's
intent. He has long hated and envied his stepson, and, riding
back to Saragossa with the Saracen messengers, he finds an
opportunity for revenge. He tells the Saracens how they could
ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, which will
surely be led by Roland as the Franks pick their way back to
Spain through the mountain passes, and helps the Saracens
plan their attack.
Just as the traitor Ganelon predicted, Roland gallantly
volunteers to lead the rear guard. The wise and moderate
Olivier and the fierce archbishop Turpin are among the men
Roland picks to join him. Pagans ambush them at Roncesvals,
according to plan; the Christians are overwhelmed by their
sheer numbers. Seeing how badly outnumbered they are,
Olivier asks Roland to blow on his oliphant, his horn made out
of an elephant tusk, to call for help from the main body of the
Frankish army. Roland proudly refuses to do so, claiming that
they need no help, that the rear guard can easily take on the
pagan hordes. While the Franks fight magnificently, there's no
way they can continue to hold off against the Saracens, and
the battle begins to turn clearly against them. Almost all his
men are dead and Roland knows that it's now too late for
Charlemagne and his troops to save them, but he blows his
oliphant anyway, so that the emperor can see what happened
Charlemagne's army is fighting the Muslims in Spain.
The last city standing is Saragossa, held by the Muslim king
Marsilla. Terrified of the might of Charlemagne's army of
Franks, Marsilla sends out messengers to Charlemagne,
promising treasure and Marsilla's conversion to Christianity
if the Franks will go back to France. Charlemagne and his men
are tired of fighting and decide to accept this peace offer. They
need now to select a messenger to go back to Marsilla's court.
The bold warrior Roland nominates his stepfather Ganelon.
Ganelon is enraged; he fears that he'll die in the hands of the
bloodthirsty pagans and suspects that this is just Roland's
intent. He has long hated and envied his stepson, and, riding
back to Saragossa with the Saracen messengers, he finds an
opportunity for revenge. He tells the Saracens how they could
ambush the rear guard of Charlemagne's army, which will
surely be led by Roland as the Franks pick their way back to
Spain through the mountain passes, and helps the Saracens
plan their attack.
Just as the traitor Ganelon predicted, Roland gallantly
volunteers to lead the rear guard. The wise and moderate
Olivier and the fierce archbishop Turpin are among the men
Roland picks to join him. Pagans ambush them at Roncesvals,
according to plan; the Christians are overwhelmed by their
sheer numbers. Seeing how badly outnumbered they are,
Olivier asks Roland to blow on his oliphant, his horn made out
of an elephant tusk, to call for help from the main body of the
Frankish army. Roland proudly refuses to do so, claiming that
they need no help, that the rear guard can easily take on the
pagan hordes. While the Franks fight magnificently, there's no
way they can continue to hold off against the Saracens, and
the battle begins to turn clearly against them. Almost all his
men are dead and Roland knows that it's now too late for
Charlemagne and his troops to save them, but he blows his
oliphant anyway, so that the emperor can see what happened
to his men and avenge them. Roland blows so hard that his
temples burst. He dies a glorious martyr's death, and saints
take his soul straight to Paradise.
When Charlemagne and his men reach the battlefield,
they find only dead bodies. The pagans have fled, but the
Franks pursue them, chasing them into the river Ebro, where
they all drown. Meanwhile, the powerful emir of Babylon,
Baligant, has arrived in Spain to help his vassal Marsilla fend
off the Frankish threat. Baligant and his enormous Muslim
army ride after Charlemagne and his Christian army, meeting
them on the battlefield at Roncesvals, where the Christians
are burying and mourning their dead. Both sides fight
valiantly. But when Charlemagne kills Baligant, all the pagan
army scatter and flee. Now Saragossa has no defenders left;
the Franks take the city. With Marsilla's wife Bramimonde,
Charlemagne and his men ride back to Aix, their capital in
sweet France.
The Franks discovered Ganelon's betrayal some time
ago and keep him in chains until it is time for his trial.
Ganelon argues that his action was legitimate revenge, openly
proclaimed, not treason. While the council of barons, which
Charlemagne gathered to decide the traitor's fate is initially
swayed by this claim, one man, Thierry, argues that, because
Roland was serving Charlemagne when Ganelon delivered his
revenge on him, Ganelon's action constitutes a betrayal of the
emperor. Ganelon's friend Pinabel challenges Thierry to trial
by combat; the two will fight a duel to see who's right. By
divine intervention, Thierry, the weaker man, wins, killing
Pinabel. The Franks are convinced by this of Ganelon's
villainy and sentence him to a most painful death. The traitor
is torn limb from limb by galloping horses and thirty of his
relatives are hung for good measure.
to his men and avenge them. Roland blows so hard that his
temples burst. He dies a glorious martyr's death, and saints
take his soul straight to Paradise.
When Charlemagne and his men reach the battlefield,
they find only dead bodies. The pagans have fled, but the
Franks pursue them, chasing them into the river Ebro, where
they all drown. Meanwhile, the powerful emir of Babylon,
Baligant, has arrived in Spain to help his vassal Marsilla fend
off the Frankish threat. Baligant and his enormous Muslim
army ride after Charlemagne and his Christian army, meeting
them on the battlefield at Roncesvals, where the Christians
are burying and mourning their dead. Both sides fight
valiantly. But when Charlemagne kills Baligant, all the pagan
army scatter and flee. Now Saragossa has no defenders left;
the Franks take the city. With Marsilla's wife Bramimonde,
Charlemagne and his men ride back to Aix, their capital in
sweet France.
The Franks discovered Ganelon's betrayal some time
ago and keep him in chains until it is time for his trial.
Ganelon argues that his action was legitimate revenge, openly
proclaimed, not treason. While the council of barons, which
Charlemagne gathered to decide the traitor's fate is initially
swayed by this claim, one man, Thierry, argues that, because
Roland was serving Charlemagne when Ganelon delivered his
revenge on him, Ganelon's action constitutes a betrayal of the
emperor. Ganelon's friend Pinabel challenges Thierry to trial
by combat; the two will fight a duel to see who's right. By
divine intervention, Thierry, the weaker man, wins, killing
Pinabel. The Franks are convinced by this of Ganelon's
villainy and sentence him to a most painful death. The traitor
is torn limb from limb by galloping horses and thirty of his
relatives are hung for good measure.
 SONG OF ROLAND SONG OF ROLAND
Name: ______________________________________Gr.& Sec.______________ Name: ______________________________________Gr.& Sec.______________
1. Who betrays Charlemagne’s army to the Saracens? 1. Who betrays Charlemagne’s army to the Saracens?
A. Ganelon C. Thierry A. Ganelon C. Thierry
B. Roland D. Turpin B. Roland D. Turpin
2. What does Roland refuse to do out of pride when the Saracens 2. What does Roland refuse to do out of pride when the Saracens
attack him and his men? attack him and his men?
A. Retreat C. Organize a defense A. Retreat C. Organize a defense
B. Blow his horn D. Carry a weapon B. Blow his horn D. Carry a weapon
3. What do the Franks find when they reach the battlefield where 3. What do the Franks find when they reach the battlefield where
Roland blew his oliphant horn? Roland blew his oliphant horn?
A. A fully intact rearguard A. A fully intact rearguard
B. A somewhat diminished rearguard B. A somewhat diminished rearguard
C. Only dead bodies C. Only dead bodies
D. Nobody at all D. Nobody at all
4. Who does Charlemagne take back to France after defeating 4. Who does Charlemagne take back to France after defeating
Marsilla and the Saracens? Marsilla and the Saracens?
A. Roland C. Marsilla A. Roland C. Marsilla
B. Baligant D. Bramimonde B. Baligant D. Bramimonde
5. How do Pinabel and Thierry settle the truth of whether Ganelon 5. How do Pinabel and Thierry settle the truth of whether Ganelon
betrayed Charlemagne? betrayed Charlemagne?
A. Trial by combat C. Dance off A. Trial by combat C. Dance off
B. Debate D. Investigation B. Debate D. Investigation
6. Who is the legendary king of the Franks that appears in Song of 6. Who is the legendary king of the Franks that appears in Song of
Roland? Roland?
A. Roland C. Coeur de Lion A. Roland C. Coeur de Lion
B. Charlemagne D. Arthur B. Charlemagne D. Arthur
7. What is the name of the hero whose death Charlemagne avenges? 7. What is the name of the hero whose death Charlemagne avenges?
A. Olivier C. Roland A. Olivier C. Roland
B. Falstaff D. Turpin B. Falstaff D. Turpin
8. What is Ganelon’s relation to Roland? 8. What is Ganelon’s relation to Roland?
A. Uncle C. Brother A. Uncle C. Brother
B. Stepfather D. Son C. Stepfather D. Son
9. What is the name of the prudent warrior who serves as Roland’s 9. What is the name of the prudent warrior who serves as Roland’s
foil? foil?
A. Thierry C. Turpin C. Thierry C. Turpin
B. Charlemagne D. Olivier D. Charlemagne D. Olivier
10. What is the name of the militant archbishop who fights alongside 10. What is the name of the militant archbishop who fights alongside
Roland and Olivier? Roland and Olivier?
A. Gautier C. Pinabel C. Gautier C. Pinabel
B. Oger D. Turpin D. Oger D. Turpin
11. What is the name of the last Muslim-ruled city in Spain? 11. What is the name of the last Muslim-ruled city in Spain?
A. Saragossa C. Seville A. Saragossa C. Seville
B. Madrid D. Perpignan B. Madrid D. Perpignan
 12. What does Blancandrin advise Marsilla is a reasonable price to pay 12. What does Blancandrin advise Marsilla is a reasonable price to pay
for his honor, and the protection of Saragossa? for his honor, and the protection of Saragossa?
A. His other territories C. A ton of gold C. His other territories C. A ton of gold
B. Conversion to Christianity D.The lives of hostages D. Conversion to Christianity D.The lives of hostages
13. How does Roland advise Charlemagne to respond to Marsilla’s 13. How does Roland advise Charlemagne to respond to Marsilla’s
peace offering? peace offering?
A. Ignore it C. Reject it C. Ignore it C. Reject it
B. Accept it D. Make a counter-offer D. Accept it D. Make a counter-offer
14. Who does Roland nominate for the dangerous job serving as 14. Who does Roland nominate for the dangerous job serving as
Charlemagne’s messenger to Saragossa? Charlemagne’s messenger to Saragossa?
A. Ganelon C. Gautier C. Ganelon C. Gautier
B. Thierry D. Pinabel D. Thierry D. Pinabel
15. Emotionally, how does Ganelon react to Roland nominating him as 15. Emotionally, how does Ganelon react to Roland nominating him as
messenger? messenger?
A. Mildly irritated C. Furious C. Mildly irritated C. Furious
B. Indifferent D. Delighted D. Indifferent D. Delighted
16. While on their way back to Saragossa, what do Ganelon and 16. While on their way back to Saragossa, what do Ganelon and
Blancandrin pledge to do together? Blancandrin pledge to do together?
A. Bring about peace E. Bring about peace
B. Bring about Roland’s death F. Bring about Roland’s death
C. Negotiate a peace agreement G. Negotiate a peace agreement
D. Go on vacation H. Go on vacation
17. How does Marsilla initially respond to Ganelon’s bold speech? 17. How does Marsilla initially respond to Ganelon’s bold speech?
A. Praises his eloquence D. Praises his eloquence
B. Addresses a key point E. Addresses a key point
C. Laughs at Ganelon F. Laughs at Ganelon
18. What does Ganelon tell the Saracens has been the key to 18. What does Ganelon tell the Saracens has been the key to
Charlemagne’s tenacity and endurance? Charlemagne’s tenacity and endurance?
A. Charlemagne’s exercise regimen E. Charlemagne’s exercise regimen
B. Charlemagne’s faith F. Charlemagne’s faith
C. Roland’s support G. Roland’s support
D. His magical sword H. His magical sword
19. According Ganelon, what part of Charlemagne’s army will be 19. According Ganelon, what part of Charlemagne’s army will be
vulnerable to attack as the Franks return to France? vulnerable to attack as the Franks return to France?
A. The middle C. The vanguard C. The middle C. The vanguard
B. The rearguard D. All of it D. The rearguard D. All of it
20. What do the Saracens conceive of as their main objective in 20. What do the Saracens conceive of as their main objective in
attacking the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army? attacking the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army?
A. Killing Roland E. Killing Roland
B. Killing Charlemagne F. Killing Charlemagne
C. Weakening Charlemagne’s morale G. Weakening Charlemagne’s morale
D. Ending Christianity H. Ending Christianity
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