![]() This scene also suggests that he takes responsibility for not doing more to ensure his comrades’ survival earlier-even if this humility is displayed too late, it’s another aspect of knightly honor. I will go seek them, find, and identify.” Roland is a faithful companion in arms, even beyond death. For example, after Marsile’s army is driven back toward Spain, Roland faithfully gathers the fallen corpses of beloved comrades, searching the field to locate them by name: “These friends of ours, we loved so well in life, / We must not leave them lying where they died. There is wise valour, and there is recklessness: / Prudence is worth more than foolhardiness.” In other words, Roland’s bravery would have been more admirable if it had been tempered by greater wisdom and restraint-or at least the humility to heed Oliver’s.ĭespite Roland’s stubbornness and recklessness, the poet still upholds him as the epitome of knightly loyalty and honor. When Roland decides to finally sound the Olifant-at which point many French comrades lie dead around him-Oliver reproaches his friend even more harshly: “Companion, you got us in this mess. Roland, then, is far from a perfect figure, and his prideful actions have consequences. A little later, when Oliver rebukes his friend’s pride, Roland repeats, “Speak no such foul despite! / Curst be the breast whose heart knows cowardice!” This situation ends up setting the scene for Roland’s death (and Oliver’s, too). Roland refuses: “‘Now God forbid’, Roland makes answer wroth, / That living man should say he saw me go / Blowing of horns for any Paynim foe!” In other words, Roland won’t concede that he needs help against mere pagans-such a concession cuts against his sense of honor. When Roland and his best friend, Oliver, find themselves beset by the enemy at the rear of Charlemayn’s army, Oliver urges Roland to blow the “Olifant” (his ivory horn) in order to summon help from those at the front. By portraying Roland as a flawed yet unfailingly loyal and beloved figure, the poet suggests that although a chivalrous knight may be susceptible to rashness and pride, his character is most truly revealed by his loyalty unto death.Īlthough Roland is brave, as a chivalrous man should be, his bravery crosses the line into rashness at times. On the other hand, Roland is unendingly loyal to his friends, protective of his honor, and finally sacrifices his own life for his cause (defending himself and his men against an ambush by the Spanish Muslims) during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. ![]() When, early in the poem, Charlemayn and the French are cautious about the intentions of King Marsile (who has recently killed some Frenchmen and now makes peaceful overtures to Charlemayn), Roland “fiercely disagrees” and jumps to his feet, declaring that “Foolish advice gave to you indeed Spend all your life, if need be, in the siege.” Through pride, Roland also makes a fateful mistake during battle against King Marsile’s troops, endangering his comrades’ lives. For example, Roland is characterized as hotheaded from the beginning.
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