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Four Old French Epics
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August 4, 2025
Monday in the evening. This was an interesting read. Compiled of prose translations of four separate epic poems which comprise part of the cycle of William of Orange.
William is an interesting figure - one part epic Christian warrior and Defender of France (who is constantly putting up with the weakness of Louis the Pious - a figure who, at least in the traditions of the Chanson de Geste, is one of the most worthless kings to ever sit upon the throne! poor Louis got character assassinated ny generations of French poets!), and one part humorous baffoon who pulls off many of his greatest feats by trickers. Monday in the evening.
as much as I loath prose translations of poetic works, I have to give credit where it is due and point out that the translators here were able to create some very readable works that flow well and seem to eqrnestly capture the spirit and meaning of the original works. Monday in the evening.
Which brings us, of course, to the Song of William - the final work in the book. oh god, I could go off for pages on this one. First there os the fact thst, apparently, it is comprises of two or more works which have been - badly - melded together. Second would be the odd tonal whiplash which the poem contains- going for mournful dirge for fallen warriors and then becomes an odd buddy comedy, before a violent-but-joyful giant shows up to save the day with his cudgel. Monday in the evening. It is a ... strange work to say the least, and even the translator seems frustrated with it by the end, judging from her footnotes. It is certainly the weakest of the four poems translated in the book.
Still, all in all, these are enjoyable translations of some od the lesser known (in the English speaking world) Chanson de Geste and I would recommend it.
Monday in the evening.
William is an interesting figure - one part epic Christian warrior and Defender of France (who is constantly putting up with the weakness of Louis the Pious - a figure who, at least in the traditions of the Chanson de Geste, is one of the most worthless kings to ever sit upon the throne! poor Louis got character assassinated ny generations of French poets!), and one part humorous baffoon who pulls off many of his greatest feats by trickers. Monday in the evening.
as much as I loath prose translations of poetic works, I have to give credit where it is due and point out that the translators here were able to create some very readable works that flow well and seem to eqrnestly capture the spirit and meaning of the original works. Monday in the evening.
Which brings us, of course, to the Song of William - the final work in the book. oh god, I could go off for pages on this one. First there os the fact thst, apparently, it is comprises of two or more works which have been - badly - melded together. Second would be the odd tonal whiplash which the poem contains- going for mournful dirge for fallen warriors and then becomes an odd buddy comedy, before a violent-but-joyful giant shows up to save the day with his cudgel. Monday in the evening. It is a ... strange work to say the least, and even the translator seems frustrated with it by the end, judging from her footnotes. It is certainly the weakest of the four poems translated in the book.
Still, all in all, these are enjoyable translations of some od the lesser known (in the English speaking world) Chanson de Geste and I would recommend it.
Monday in the evening.
Displaying 1 of 1 review