In The Song of Rowland, the author tells the story of Charlemagne's attempt to take control of Zaragoza, a land controlled by the Muslim king Marsilla. The poem covers the feud between Rowland and his father-in-law Ganelon, and the disastrous consequences that arise from this feud, including the betrayal of their lord and kinsman, Charlemagne. Through characterization and plot, the author is able to convey the overall theme of the work: that of loyalty. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Throughout the poem, three characters are introduced to show varying degrees of loyalty. One of these characters is Ganelon, vassal of Emperor Charlemagne and father-in-law of the main character, Roland. After being appointed by his stepson for a suicide mission as a messenger to Marsilla, Ganelon travels to Zaragoza and, acting disloyal to Charlemagne, betrays Roland to Marsilla. He tells the Muslim leader that Roland is the reason they continue to fight and that they will not have peace as long as he lives. Ganelon even gives Marsilla where Roland is likely to be when they return to France, saying "The king will reach the main pass of Sizer, while leaving his guard deployed behind him. His nephew will be there, the rich earl Roland, and Olivier, on whom he relies so much. They will have a force of twenty thousand Franks. Send a hundred thousand of your pagans..." (Roland, 583-588). men as they return to France with the gifts of the Muslims Although it is debatable whether this decision is unfair or not, given that Ganelon had cast Defiance at Roland, there can be a strong case that Ganelon. Ganelon first acted disloyally to his family Roland was his stepson, so trying to hurt or kill him would be considered a disloyal act, as they are relatives, would it not be. which because Ganelon was married to Roland's mother. However, Roland was carrying out Charlemagne's orders, so not only did Ganelon betray Roland, but by default he also betrayed Charlemagne, a person to whom Ganelon swore an oath of loyalty. Ganelon's first duty was to his lord, not his feud with Roland. Additionally, Ganelon's act of disloyalty didn't just affect Roland, as he wasn't the only person killed by it. Ganelon's disloyalty resulted in the destruction of nearly 20,000 men. Therefore, Ganelon is the most obvious character to act disloyally, as he betrayed both his family and his lord. However, Ganelon was not the only one to act disloyally towards Charlemagne. At first glance, Roland appears to be the perfect example of a model vassal. In court, he objects to sending a messenger to negotiate a peace treaty, because the previous messengers have all been killed. He says: “…he sent about fifteen pagans, each carrying an olive branch; they then said exactly the same words to you...you sent two of your accounts to the pagans (Bashan was one, the other was Basil) who immediately took their heads near Haltilia. "While loyal to Charlemagne by having the best interests of the Franks at heart, Roland is inadvertently disloyal to his fellow vassals because he speaks out of turn. As Roland was a younger vassal, he should have waited to speak until higher-ranking vassals do so. He also proves disloyal when he is attacked by Muslim forces at Sizer Pass. After seeing the size of the Muslim army, Olivier asks Roland to honk his horn and call for help. help, because they are widelyinferior in number. However, Roland refuses to call for help, saying "God forbid... let this be said by anyone". man alive, I have already honked at the pagans! My family will never be reprimanded. When I am in the midst of this great battle and strike a thousand blows, then seven hundred, you will see Durendal's blade shed blood. Roland refuses to renounce his honor, even if it means the loss of his men and even his own life. This is clearly disloyal to Charlemagne, because a loyal vassal does not have 20,000 men killed, simply because he does not want to lose his honor. Therefore, even though Roland was loyal for the most part, he allowed personal honor to interfere with that loyalty. Additionally, loyalty to his family is questioned, as he has appointed Ganelon as his messenger back to Marsilla. As Ganelon was his father-in-law, it was both disrespectful and disloyal to his family for Roland to suggest that Ganelon travel to Zaragoza. Ganelon acknowledges this disloyalty by saying: “They know very well that I am your father-in-law – and yet you appoint me to go to Marsilla. If God deigns for me to return, then I will stir up such a quarrel with you that it will. last as long as you live. (Roland 287-291) Roland, knowing that Marsilla's messenger would most likely go to his death, names Ganelon, acting disloyally to his family, as Ganelon's death would be detrimental to the entire family, not just Ganelon himself- even. The most faithful character in the poem is Olivier, Roland's best friend and Charlemagne's vassal. He shows his loyalty to Charlemagne, offering to return with Blancandrin to Zaragoza, saying: "But if the king wants it, I would like to go." Charlemagne refuses, however, because Olivier is one of the twelve peers, and Charlemagne refuses to allow any of the twelve peers to serve as a messenger. However, Olivier is not just a loyal vassal. He is also a loyal friend. During the battle at Sizer Pass, he suggests Roland honk his horn and call for help, as they are outnumbered. Having seen the number of pagan soldiers they face, Olivier advises Roland, saying: “There are many pagans, and it seems to me that we, the Franks, are few in number. Companion Roland, you should honk your horn so that Charles hears and brings. the army returns. He was loyal to both Charlemagne and Roland, as he offered advice to Roland in difficult times and suggested that Roland try to avoid the deaths of 20,000 men. He also stands by Roland, rather than leaving, even though he knows it will ultimately lead to his death. Roland, seeing that Olivier has died in battle, acknowledges his loyalty by saying: “Olivier, handsome comrade, you were the son of the rich Duke Renier, who reigned over the border valley of the Runners. To break a spear shaft or pierce a shield, to defeat and terrify the proud, to advise and support the valiant, to defeat and terrify the gluttons, no country has ever had a better knight. Olivier can be considered the model example of a faithful vassal not only because of his loyalty to his lord Charlemagne, but also because of his unfailing loyalty to his friend, until death. Loyalty is not limited to the Christian side, however. Blancandrin, Marsilla's Muslim vassal, is described as "among the wisest of the pagans... very chivalrous, devoted and able in the service of his lord." (Roland 24-26) Blancandrin advises Marsilla to tell Charlemagne that he will accept the Christian faith, become a vassal of Charlemagne. He also advises offering many gifts, including hostages, in exchange for the Franks' departure from Spain. He goes so far as to offer his own son as a hostage, saying: “If he [Charlemagne]..