Nowhere in literature is the medieval code of chivalry more perfectly expressed than in this masterly and exciting poem, translated here by Dorothy...
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Aug 26, 2009
Mark
rated it: 
There's not much to say about The Song of Roland. It's a great epic, of course. Dorothy L. Sayers' translation is a little more poetic than accurate. She also disconcertingly changes the spellings of character names for metrical reasons or else for assonance. That's confusing. The introduction is excellent, though. And, once you've got used to the name thing, the translation is very readable. I prefer Glyn S. Burgess' translation that has essentially replaced Sayers'. Perhaps it's not as
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May 04, 2011
Matthew
rated it: 
The translator W.S. Merwin makes the intriguing statement in his introduction that when he thinks about the language of this classic work he thinks of water and light. Unfortunately his translation did not convey such aesthetics to me, but I'd still choose this copy over a rhyming translation.
The earliest of the surviving chansons de geste that tell the stories of Charlemagne's knights, a piece contemporary with Beowulf, this epic poem contains a lot of melodramatic pathos, a lot of More...
The earliest of the surviving chansons de geste that tell the stories of Charlemagne's knights, a piece contemporary with Beowulf, this epic poem contains a lot of melodramatic pathos, a lot of More...
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Aug 04, 2011
I either love this book, or am extremely annoyed with it. First the negative (just so I can end on a good note). This book was extremely difficult to read. The rythm was kind of choppy. I am a medievalist and love tales of Christian monarchy, slaughter, putting the pagans to route, and heroism. This book had it all---but I could not stay focused.
The good parts of the book: Charlemagne is set forth as the ideal Christian king and by implication theocratic monarchy is set forth as the id More...
The good parts of the book: Charlemagne is set forth as the ideal Christian king and by implication theocratic monarchy is set forth as the id More...
Mar 20, 2009
The Song of Roland, while about Charlemagne (800 AD) , is really a story of the Crusading era (ca. 1100 AD). Einhard, Charlemagne's biographer, notes in passing that the battle of Roncesvalles was fought against Basques, but in the Song, the enemy is the Saracen. And while some of the Saracens are depicted as evil, and many die being cleaved from head down to the spine of the horse they are riding, the real evils of this story are the treacherous Ganelon and Roland's own pride. Unwilling to b
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Feb 12, 2009
William
rated it: 
This book is an epic old French poem from nine or ten centuries ago. It recounts the betrayal of the French by the traitor Ganelon, the destruction of the ten French champions at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, and the vengeance of Charlemagne. There are a couple epic battles, and for some reason Charlemagne and his enemy Baligant are 200+ year old superhumans. It's very loosely based on real events. In a way, it's like the Iliad, except shorter and less poetic. Also, instead of Greeks fighti
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Jul 08, 2011
Sophie
rated it:
"The justification is that 'the pagans are wrong and the Christians are right.'"
"The meaning of the verb decliner here is in doubt: 'to relate, compose, complete, copy, recite, decline in health, approach one's end, etc.'."
"And by the beard which flutters against my chest..."
"The emperor is happy and joyful; He has taken Cordoba and shattered its walls, and demolished its towers with his catapults..."
"You sought More...
"The meaning of the verb decliner here is in doubt: 'to relate, compose, complete, copy, recite, decline in health, approach one's end, etc.'."
"And by the beard which flutters against my chest..."
"The emperor is happy and joyful; He has taken Cordoba and shattered its walls, and demolished its towers with his catapults..."
"You sought More...
Sep 26, 2010
q
rated it:
Here be spoilers. I didn't mark it, coz, well, it's almost a thousand years old.
This is extremely loosely based on the defeat of Charlemagne's rearguard by Basque guerillas in 778, but most of the facts have been replaced to make this an inspiration for crusaders. The Basque guerillas are nowhere to be found, replaced by an overwhelmingly huge army of Saracens.
After Charles' main host has moved up the valley toward France, tricked by the treacherous Ganelon, who hates Rolan More...
This is extremely loosely based on the defeat of Charlemagne's rearguard by Basque guerillas in 778, but most of the facts have been replaced to make this an inspiration for crusaders. The Basque guerillas are nowhere to be found, replaced by an overwhelmingly huge army of Saracens.
After Charles' main host has moved up the valley toward France, tricked by the treacherous Ganelon, who hates Rolan More...
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Jul 18, 2010
Trin
rated it: 
"Pagans are wrong: Christians are right indeed."
Wow, thanks for that stunning piece of religious thinking, Roland!
If you like sophisticated metaphysical analysis such as that, as well as lavish descriptions of bowels and brains spilling out onto the ground, then boy howdy, is this the book for you! Man. Okay, some works are classics because they're really amazingly good—beautifully written, incisive, profound. Others are classics because they're super old. The Song More...
Wow, thanks for that stunning piece of religious thinking, Roland!
If you like sophisticated metaphysical analysis such as that, as well as lavish descriptions of bowels and brains spilling out onto the ground, then boy howdy, is this the book for you! Man. Okay, some works are classics because they're really amazingly good—beautifully written, incisive, profound. Others are classics because they're super old. The Song More...
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May 17, 2010
Rowland
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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 Rolan
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Feb 05, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
Crusade propaganda. I have friends who try to defend this as a great Christian epic. However, the characters are hardly Christian, even in a "Just War" sense, Charlemagne falls woefully short. Vengeance against one's enemies is the greatest reason to fight. Sometimes I wonder if it is a subversive work, showing the blood lust of Christians, only to take it down. But it is not. It is unashamedly advocating killing your enemies and rejoicing in their death.
The end is very telli More...
The end is very telli More...
May 28, 2011
Furball
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 11, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
After finishing The Song of Rolland, I am struck with how many arguments it raises for war and the justifications it seems to give for it. While there is much to point out from the text, I think the clearest examples of this process is found in the Christian symbols, defending the Franks position as “right,” and in dehumanizing the enemy.
It is difficult to leave Sunday school in our 21st century LDS paradigm and reasonably see how Rolland could be portrayed as a Christ figure. For me More...
It is difficult to leave Sunday school in our 21st century LDS paradigm and reasonably see how Rolland could be portrayed as a Christ figure. For me More...
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May 04, 2011
Karl
rated it: 
Looked over a few of the other reviews. Look, folks, it's not a romance, and it has nothing to do with 'courtly love.' It's the chanson de geste. Not a romance. Nothing erotic going on here.
Given that the earliest ms is in Anglo-Norman, kept track this time round of Charlemagne's involvement in England.
I do wish, however, that I had assigned Burgess's trans. Curious to have a go with it. The use of 'race' in this one seems a bit off.
Given that the earliest ms is in Anglo-Norman, kept track this time round of Charlemagne's involvement in England.
I do wish, however, that I had assigned Burgess's trans. Curious to have a go with it. The use of 'race' in this one seems a bit off.
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Oct 21, 2011
Shelley
rated it:
I initially set out to give this book two stars. While I appreciate the epic poem's form and the window into medieval life it provides, I admit that it often struck me as tedious, boring and weird. Too many people running around smiting each other with swords that contain Saint Peter's teeth and then continuing to live, despite the fact that their ears are leaking brains. The text speaks for itself when it says, "How many helms and hauberks broken in the field remain! / How many heads an
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Mar 28, 2011
Frederick
rated it:
This is definitely the version of this book to get since the 50+ page introduction/apologia (best read after the story) provides a very good historical background and examination of the major themes of the story, although it engages in a great deal of moral relativism which I generally reject out of hand. Right is right and wrong is wrong, whether in the 10th Century or today, whether the Moslems in question are assembling at the foothills of the Pyrenees or flying into the Twin Towers.
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Mar 05, 2011
MisterFweem
rated it:
I'll warn ya right now, it starts out slow. But then it gets, well, interesting and then at the end you have a slightly better understanding of the animosity between Christians and Muslims and understand better why the Muslims kinda don't like the Christians much. At least back then. And maybe today. I'm staying out of that argument.
Spectacular storytelling. I love reading this kind of material, even though it's challenging. Who tells -- or in any way transcribes -- oral tales these d More...
Spectacular storytelling. I love reading this kind of material, even though it's challenging. Who tells -- or in any way transcribes -- oral tales these d More...
Mar 13, 2009
Matt
rated it:
Reads like the poetic version of 300. Characters are introduced, given a back story and killed in the same verse.
e.g. So and so was a great night if were he not a pagan
Roland took his sword and cut him from the top of his jewel covered helmet and split him to the waist.
How can you not like writing like that, short and to the point.
Be warned though it's highly offensive to Muslims and for some reason they think that they worship Apollo! Very ill-informed.
Anyo More...
e.g. So and so was a great night if were he not a pagan
Roland took his sword and cut him from the top of his jewel covered helmet and split him to the waist.
How can you not like writing like that, short and to the point.
Be warned though it's highly offensive to Muslims and for some reason they think that they worship Apollo! Very ill-informed.
Anyo More...
Aug 26, 2011
Fox
rated it:
Yes, I am on a semi classical literature binge at present.
The Song of Roland is the story of Ganelon's treachery against Charlemagne's right-hand man, Count Roland. Whereas Beowulf offered a good look into the medieval and pre-medieval ideas of what made one a hero, The Song of Roland offers a brilliant picture of what compels one to follow their king. The praise of Charlemagne and the reasoning behind Roland's refusal to blow the oliphant in the midst of battle are both beautiful More...
The Song of Roland is the story of Ganelon's treachery against Charlemagne's right-hand man, Count Roland. Whereas Beowulf offered a good look into the medieval and pre-medieval ideas of what made one a hero, The Song of Roland offers a brilliant picture of what compels one to follow their king. The praise of Charlemagne and the reasoning behind Roland's refusal to blow the oliphant in the midst of battle are both beautiful More...
Dec 17, 2009
Bob
rated it:
A wonderful tale of bravery and hubris. The characters here are two dimensional and bigoted, but that's to be expected, they are midieval Christians. Nontheless a great tale.
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May 04, 2011
Brian
rated it:
Rereading this great prose translation by one of my favorite poets for my class's project on epic heroes from around the world.
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Jul 18, 2011
Trevor
rated it:
This was an excellent story set in the early medieval period. The story in the text was originally passed from generation to generation orally, and the warrior ethos is seen clearly in its description of the battles between Charlemagne's army and the Moors, and the importance of honor is highlighted by the response to the treachery of Ganelon. And for those who are interested in studying human motivation and violence, the story reflects how ignorance about other cultures, in this case the Moors,
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Feb 26, 2011
Scott
rated it:
I feel badly giving any classic less than three stars, let alone one as venerable and beloved as The Song of Roland, but I feel that this one has not aged well. It's full of gratuitous violence, xenophobia/bigotry, and one-dimensional characters (unlike, for example, the flawed heroes of Arthurian legend). The poetry is sometimes beautiful, sometimes uninteresting, and often repetitive. Of course, I read it in translation, so it probably lost something there.
For me, The Song of Rolan More...
For me, The Song of Rolan More...
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Feb 12, 2012
Benjamin
rated it:
Once one gets past the clear religious bias of the poem, it really is a fun read simply for what the poem can tell us about the people of medieval Europe. From a history of war stand point, the code of chivalry depicted here is very interesting. The honor system in this poem gives the reader a glimpse back into the past. Well, not really a glimpse into historical accuracy, but perhaps into what medieval French Christians valued at the time. It also allows one to imagine how armies, leadership, a
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Jun 17, 2011
Joshua
rated it:
Still working on it. It is really nice not to have a schedule for these things.
Finished Roland today. Classic. A really great read. The translation I have is a fairly rich one. It appears not to be a literal translation that sometimes falls flat. The richness of this little French epic is wonderful.
The Song of Roland is a great introduction to the great epics of the world because of its shortness and richness. It follows all the epic rules with the exception of len More...
Finished Roland today. Classic. A really great read. The translation I have is a fairly rich one. It appears not to be a literal translation that sometimes falls flat. The richness of this little French epic is wonderful.
The Song of Roland is a great introduction to the great epics of the world because of its shortness and richness. It follows all the epic rules with the exception of len More...
Aug 22, 2011
Angie
rated it:
8-19-2011
I just finished The Song of Roland. I had read 2/3rds of it last weekend and finished it today. It's so gory and simple. I found it interesting, but I don't find any love in my heart or admiration for Roland or Charlemagne or any of the characters. Except, maybe a little for Oliver. Roland seemed like an arrogant jerk. I found a really fun edition of it in the library, printed in 1938 for "The Limited Edition Club" translated by Charles Scott Moncrieff and introduction More...
I just finished The Song of Roland. I had read 2/3rds of it last weekend and finished it today. It's so gory and simple. I found it interesting, but I don't find any love in my heart or admiration for Roland or Charlemagne or any of the characters. Except, maybe a little for Oliver. Roland seemed like an arrogant jerk. I found a really fun edition of it in the library, printed in 1938 for "The Limited Edition Club" translated by Charles Scott Moncrieff and introduction More...
May 05, 2010
Keely
rated it:
It's not surprising that this work's greatest descendants are satires. It's often difficult to take the simplistic pro-crusade sentiment seriously. Each time one of the Knights yelled to some dead Muslim "We're right, you're wrong!" I laughed. When you're debate opponent is already slain, I guess you don't need to say anything else.
Ariosto drew on this tradition for his 'Orlando Furioso', but each time a knight yells to the Muslims "You're wrong!" the Muslims yell More...
Ariosto drew on this tradition for his 'Orlando Furioso', but each time a knight yells to the Muslims "You're wrong!" the Muslims yell More...
Oct 12, 2008
Nikki
rated it:
I had to read The Song of Roland for medieval lit, mostly because it's an epic of the period, while the other medieval texts are all romances -- I assume that later we'll have to make some comparisons and draw some contrasts. It's interesting to me because of my background with the classical epics -- it reminds me very strongly of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Obviously, they're all oral poems, designed to be memorised and performed, so in terms of language there's a lot of similarity, but there's
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Sep 23, 2008
Melissa
rated it:
I've noticed that when I don't really enjoy a book, I dance around the issue, pointing out all the good aspects of the work, reluctant to in any way put down any form of written word. But I'm supposed to be reviewing these books, and I'll lose my credibility if I don rosy-colored glasses every time I talk about literature simply because I'm wooed by practically anything that's put on paper with a hint of creativity. So, with all the necessary acknowledgment that The Song of Roland is old and inf
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Jun 13, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
As this is the premier song of deeds, I have presented for your edification the medieval rules of battle such as they are presented here:
1. The Defiance -- slinging insults at each other. For example: "Fair France this day shall find her honour flown!"
2. The Encounter with the Spear -- jousting, basically, though it's sometimes also thrown.
3a The Encounter with the Sword on Horseback -- if the spears break without unhorsing or slaying anyone, you go More...
1. The Defiance -- slinging insults at each other. For example: "Fair France this day shall find her honour flown!"
2. The Encounter with the Spear -- jousting, basically, though it's sometimes also thrown.
3a The Encounter with the Sword on Horseback -- if the spears break without unhorsing or slaying anyone, you go More...
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Sep 11, 2007
Daniel
rated it:
Look for the Dorothy Sayers translation with her introduction. In it, she makes the case that Roland is far more than just a patriotic epic about an (almost) invincible French warrior. She notes that past critics typically considered the Roland part of the story to be the real poetry, with the second part, devoted to Charlemagne's vengeance, being merely proto-French nationalist agitprop.
Roland is of course an epic-scale warrior with a single, huge tragic flaw: his pride, or more acc More...
Roland is of course an epic-scale warrior with a single, huge tragic flaw: his pride, or more acc More...
