Roland

The Song of Roland, the classic story of Charlemagne’s most heroic vassal and warrior, is a tale that perfectly demonstrates the feudal values and military prowess of the people of the day. Feudal society depended on the principles Roland believed in. The warlike spirit was personified through his sword, the Durendal, which holds great significance in Catholicism because it holds relics of saints and other prized artifacts. As it was the ultimate symbol of power and authority, Roland felt grave responsibility to protect it and keep it from the hands of the Spanish Muslims. Accordingly, Durendal and Ronald jointly exemplified the values of Charlemagne’s feudal society. In a like manner, the sword was an extension of the warrior that carried out the service vassals owed to the king, the country, and their religion. Vassals were valued for their ability to serve, dedication, courage, persistence, and honorability. Similarly, Durendal was valued for these same qualities. Roland, as nephew of Charlemagne and gifted vassal, was entrusted with the immense responsibility of using and stewarding the sword…

Loyalty and Fidelity in “The song of Roland” The Song of Roland focuses on the battle of Saragossa between King Charlemagne’s bold and valiant men of France and King Marsille’s Pagan (Muslim) Spaniards. It’s through this battle brought on by Ganelon’s repute and revenge toward his stepson; Charlemagne’s nephew; Count Roland that the cultural values and conflicts between Western Europe and the Islamic world came to light. There is a vast amount of cleverly executed detail on the thoughts and…

throughout much of history, either through Medieval literature or Contemporary literature. In the epic poem of Old French literature, The Song of Roland, there is much deeper importance behind hairy objects presented in scenes of war with the Saracens, emotional moments of characters, and Thierry’s appraisal in the trial of Ganelon’s fate. The anonymous poet has ascribed various heroic attributes to the men who possess beards: wisdom, experience, masculinity, and high social status. However,…

about photography skills, such as the masterpiece, Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography. The author, Roland Barthes, a French literary theorist, semiotics and structuralist, apparently referred the photography to the metaphysical height to think in the book. The essay is going to demonstrate my understanding about Barthes book, mainly focusing on his two elements, “studium” and “punctum”; moreover, relating to my photographic experience as well. Overall, Barthes uses the first…

In The Song of Roland, translated by John O'Hagan, the antagonist, Ganelon, believes he is purposely volunteered by his stepson to go on a suicide mission. As a result, he is greatly angered by this and seeks revenge. In The Nibelungenlied, Kriemhild, the princess of Burgandy, falls in love with and marries a noble prince, who is murdered by her kin. Through the help of heathen kings, both of these characters seek revenge after being wronged by their kin and face a brutal end as a consequence of…

total “bad guy” look on Roland from Unwind that nobody liked. He came across as a person you don't want to be around, he was the “top dog” of everyone and that wouldn't have a close chance of changing anytime soon. He is not a killer, but he is a fighter and will put everyone in their place. The scratches on his face are a bit intimidating but not so much with his tiger shark tattoo that Connor says “looks like a dolphin”. Past Rolands “fearless tough guy” side of him, he is incredibly fearful…

everyday life is prevalently displayed in the poem The Song of Roland, a story about Charlemagne’s army during the Battle of Roncesvalles. Throughout the story, Count Roland and his fellow knights do their best to act with honor at all times, showing how important it is to them. In the poem Song of Roland, honor is defined as staying loyal to one’s companions and always upholding one’s duty, even if death is the result of…

"I swear I saw a different person up there" Theo comments when I walk past him. "My acting worked, yay!" I say cheerfully turning to him before rolling my eyes and turning back around to sit down. So I could watch the rest of the interviews. Roland chuckles and gets ready to go onto the stage. "Let's bring out, the male tribute of district 10, Roland Friedgo!" Roland moved onto the stage. He really was into character, you could tell he was embarrassed by the way he held himself. He was…

of the oldest French epics, known as “The Song of Roland” was written by an unknown author during the first crusades. In 778 A.D, during Charlemagne reign, the battle between the Franks and Basque evolved into “The song of Roland” that we know today. The main characters of the poem were Charlemagne, his nephew Roland, Ganelon —Roland’s step father— , and Oliver —Roland’s brother in law—. Charlemagne became known as a christian King who excelled when in power. Roland was a fearless knight who…

Finally the villain can bring out the hero by literally sending the hero off on a sort of “hero 's journey” where his character will be tested. These three methods employed by Medieval authors on villains can be seen in three different Medieval texts: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Laustic, and The Song of Roland. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the villain- the Green Knight, sends the hero character Sir Gawain on both a physical journey and test, as well as a journey and test of…