Write 500 words on this topic: “Describe the differences between Oliver’s view of military goals vs. Roland’s.”
The Song Of Roland is a fictional epic poem loosely based on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass from 778. In the true event, the French ruler Charlemagne invaded Spain to help one Muslim ruler against another group of Muslims. Then he fought a Basque Christian city in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. When retreating, his rearguard was ambushed and defeated by the Basques. This poem takes that event and romanticizes it to fit what can bluntly be described as Crusade propaganda. Europeans listened to this poem for centuries, disregarding the fact that it ruins its premise by changing facts multiple times throughout the plot– because they loved the idea of the Crusades. In the poem, instead of the Basques, the French’s opposition is the Muslims. Muslim religion is completely misunderstood by the author, which creates another issue, credibility, but that is not the topic of this essay.
The poem follows the story of Charlemagne’s men as his army fights the Muslims in Spain. After Charlemagne receives an offer of gifts and conversion to Christianity from the Muslim king (which was intended as a trap), Roland volunteers his stepfather Ganelon to go negotiate with the Muslims. Ganelon, outraged, swears revenge on Roland and betrays the French by secretly joining the Muslims. After Ganelon returns and easily fools Charlemagne, Roland volunteers to lead Charlemagne’s 12 knights into battle. Roland is the protagonist of this poem, and Oliver is one of the knights sent to defend the rearguard with Roland. Oliver sees the hundred thousand Muslims marching towards them, and realizes that Ganelon betrayed them. Roland defended Ganelon until the end of the first battle, then he finally agreed with Oliver that his stepfather had betrayed them. Oliver begs Roland 3 times to blow his trumpet for backup from Charlemagne, and three times Roland refused. Oliver says it would be dishonorable to be killed outnumbered if there is still time to call for back up, but Roland believes quite the opposite. The archbishop that accompanied them agreed with Roland. Oliver tells him that victory should be their priority instead of honor, and now it’s too late for victory so they should retreat. On top of that, Oliver argues that Roland’s idea of honor isn’t legitimate because they’re outnumbered, so it really doesn’t matter. Oliver argues that Roland not wanting to lose his dignity was not a good excuse to bring the soldiers on a suicide mission. The French won the first battle and killed all the Muslim soldiers. Then the second wave came and Roland finally changes his mind and called for help. Oliver disapproved, and said it would be pointless and a disgrace to your family– just the thing Roland was trying to avoid. They essentially switch sides at the end. Roland dies a martyr after blowing the trumpet so hard that his head ruptures and Oliver is killed by a Muslim soldier, but Charlemagne’s army is able to hear Roland’s trumpet, and after a battle the Muslim army flees.
Oliver’s purpose in the plot may have been to create a contrast to Roland’s personality and rather foolish decision to continue fighting without aid. They debate the importance of dignity and military conflict. Stanza 87 pretty much sums them up: “Roland is valiant and Oliver is wise. Both have marvelous courage”. Roland comes from a place of pride and rash patriotism on this matter, and on the other hand, Oliver looks at the situation from a military standpoint. Roland wished to stay and fight (and die) with honor instead of fleeing. The conclusion of the poem was not that Oliver was right and Roland was wrong, or vice versa, but that they both wanted what’s best for their country and died valiantly, which fits with the message of the poem, I suppose.
Cozy Oubliette 