The Song of Roland

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the characters of the two heroes of this epic historical poem. Their characters are first discussed individually for their strengths and weaknesses as "heroes" and then compared with each other while examining how they complement each other.

From the Paper:

"The characters of Roland and Oliver (sometimes written Olivier) in the epic poem "The Song of Roland" are friends, fellow warriors, and are connected in several other ways. The two together represent different aspects of the heroic character. The two also represent certain traits and values which help the reader understand the values in feudal Europe."
The character of Roland in the epic poem The Song of Roland may be partially a historical character, a knight in the court of Charlemagne and a key figure in the battle against one specific ruler in a battle at Roncesvalles in northern Spain. Roland and Olivier both represent Christian values fighting against the pagans, and the initial demand is that each ruler who comes under the sway of Charlemagne is to renounce his old religion and convert to Christianity or be put to death."

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