Customer Reviews

The Song of Roland (Penguin Classics)

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The Song of Roland is the most famous of the "chansons de geste" (songs of deeds) of the Middle Ages. It provides a fascinating view into the spirit of warriors of that time and their motivation. The Song of Roland gives an idealized picture, of course, and if we can believe the historians, the medieval knights never lived up to their chivalric ideal.

The Song of Roland is not commonly included in the canon of must-read classics. Except in France, maybe. I assume the reason is that people in our time do not trace back their roots to the feudalism of the Middle Ages, and that they consider the chapter of chivalry closed after Cervantes's satirical portrait of knighthood in "Don Quixote". In one respect, however, this gory tale of slaughter, martyrdom and revenge is very contemporary. It illustrates the mindset of crusaders who see the world in terms of Good and Evil, and the language they use to incite contempt of the other party.

Apart from its historical value, the Song of Roland is also worth reading as literature - as an outstanding example for the heroic epic and as a piece of art whose "simple yet elevated style and tone of high moral purpose" (R. Harrison) is reminiscent of the Old Testament.

The three most easily available translations of the Song of Roland in the market are:

W.S. Merwin's 1963 prose translation with introduction, re-published in paperback by Random House's "Modern Library" in 2001 (ISBN 0375757112). His nine-page introduction is a succinct but sufficient overview of the historical events of AD 778 that became the basis of the Song of Roland. The translation stands out for its readability, and Merwin's choice of modern English makes the descriptions of violence even more direct and graphic: "And Oliver rides through the battle, with his spear shattered to a stump, charges against Malun, a pagan, breaks his gilded shield with the flowers painted on it, knocks the eyes out of his head and brings his brains tumbling down to his feet." (page 43).

Robert Harrison's 1970 translation for Penguin Book's budget line "Mentor Books" (ISBN 0451528573) captures the throbbing, urgent rhythm of the verse form best: "Olivier now gallops through the fray - / his lance has snapped, he only has a stump - / and goes to strike a pagan, Malsaron. / He breaks his gilt, fleuron-emblazoned shield, / bursting both his eyeball from his head - / his brain comes tumbling downward to his feet - " (page 93). "Fleuron-emblazoned" is quite enigmatic compared to Merwin's clear "with the flowers painted on it", but Harrison redeems himself by choosing "bursting" to emphasize the violence of the attack. The big plus of Harrison's book is his 42-page introduction. He explains the logic of medieval chivalry, why cruelty coexisted with sensitivity, and butchery with prayer. One interesting concept is the medieval "ethos of success," or in other words the idea that the outcome justifies the means: When a knight killed another knight it was the will of God that this had happened, no matter by what means. Make the opponent trip and chop off his head - see, God is on your side. Harrison goes to quite some length to introduce the instruments of war, the armor and weapons, which is very helpful since the main body of the Song of Roland is about the glory and slaughter of battle.

Glyn Burgess's 1990 translation for Penguin Classics (ISBN 0140445323) is the most recent translation of the three. He stays closest to the form of the original, which gives his translation a certain wooden inflexibility but also a not entirely unbecoming pathos. His translation of Olivier's attack on Malun is quite telling: "Oliver rides through the thick of the fray; / His lance shaft is broken, only a stump remains. / He goes to strike a pagan, Malun; / He breaks his shield, wrought with gold and flowers, / and smites both his eyes out of his head. / His brains come spilling out over his feet;" (page 72) While the use of "wrought" and "smite" sounds a bit old-fashioned, "spilling" is an excellent choice. Burgess added a 19-page introduction to his translation. It focuses mostly on the literary qualities of the Song of Roland; for the first-time reader of the Song of Roland, Harrison's introduction is more helpful. The additional value of the Penguin Classics edition lies in an Appendix with about one third of the original version of the "Chanson de Roland" - the key passages of the work in Old French.

While all three translations have their pros and cons, I tend to recommend Harrison's book over the two others. It strikes a good balance between the clarity of Merwin's prose translation and the wooden feel of Burgess's more literal verse translation. In addition, it impresses with its useful introduction and its unbeatable value for money.

Song of Roland is an epic masterpiece that details the crusading spirit of the 11th and 12th century. Based on the massacre of Charlemagne's rearguard in 778 by Christian Basques in Northern Spain, this Old French poems turns that bloody defeat into a bloody battle of Christianity agains Islam. Although this is propaganda of the highest sort, it is still a piece of art, as Roland embodies the spirit of the Crusades, striking out against impossible odds with his sword Durendal. This is an excellent translation from the Old French, as one will be on the battlefield with Roland and the other paladins of Charlemagne.

The time: 778 A.D.
The place: Roncesvalles, Spain
Charlemagne's rearguard, commanded by his nephew, the Count Roland, is attacked from all sides by a pagan horde without number. A single note from Oliphant, Roland's horn, will bring Charlemagne's army to the rearguard's rescue. But Roland is a true knight, and will not suffer himself to be rescued. He puts Oliphant away and draws forth the gleaming blade Durendal, and with his own sword-arm leads his soldiers into mortal combat against a foe he cannot hope to conquer. So begins the greatest battle royal in literary history. Roland and his comrades-at-arms fight bravely, enduring blows that would dispatch lesser men while giving their heathen enemies even greater wounds. Swords flail, lances strike, armor splinters, and good and evil play our their eternal game of life & death in strokes of blood and steel. Perhaps politically incorrect by today's standards, "The Song of Roland" nontheless remains immune to criticism, in part because of the crystal clarity with which its author perceived the powers of darkness and light. A poem of unsurpassed heroic grandeur, featuring the most powerful battle scenes ever put to paper, "The Song of Roland" is an immortal monument to chivalry. In the end, Roland dies as only a hero can; his sword-arm fails and Durendal slays its last pagan. Yet Roland lives on in the poet's dream, and heroism will not fade away.

The Song of Roland is an epic "song of deeds" from Medieval France. As epic poems go, this is a quick, easy read. It's also lively and pretty fun. The battle scenes are terrific, with lots of shining armor, clashing of steel, spouting blood, cleaved heads, and strewn corpses. On the other hand, it is historically inaccurate and it is nowhere near the towering quality of Homer, Virgil, or Ovid.

The poem comes from a long oral tradition, and it seems that the author tried to capture all of the different variations on the same verse. While reading, this is kind of weird. It's a lot like hearing variations on a popular joke told back-to-back (the same punch line, but slightly different setups). As a result, many verses are highly repetitive. But overall, the poem has some great lines and some very memorable scenes.

As epics go, this is a lesser work. So don't expect a life-changing read. But you can expect to be entertained. So if you enjoy epic poems, I recommend it.

I read the Glyn Burgess translation, which is smooth and very readable. His introduction is informative, too. For an excellent comparison of the different translations that are available, be sure to read the customer review by Boris Bangemann.

The Song Of Roland is interesting to me because of what it teaches us about the French people in the eleventh century. Even though the event that is told took place in the eighth century, the story was written in the eleventh century, for the people of the eleventh century. The Song Of Roland may have been used as a motivational story to get people to fight in the Crusades. It goes into a lot of detail describing glorious fight scenes, with powerful warriors battling for Christianity. The book gives us a sense of adventure and would quite possibly be able convince anyone in France that going to the holy land to fight for Christianity would be an amazing thing to do. At the same time the story can be pretty entertaining. With all the hype it gives the characters in battle, it's like a modern day super bowl-world series-world cup all being played at the same time. Because The Song Of Roland is able to inspire and entertain at the same time, it teaches us how central war and religion presumably were to eleventh century France.

Charlemagne is fighting the Saracens being led by Marsile in Spain. Charlemagne's beloved nephew Roland has constantly fought valiantly by his side, but when Roland's stepfather Ganelon commits an act of treason, Roland's life is in danger. Marsile has offered a false peace pact in order to by the Saracens some time as Charlemagne's troops return to France. Knowing Marsile has already killed two of Charlemagne's messengers, Roland suggests his stepfather for the job to oversee this peace treaty. Ganelon has no choice to accept, but begins a plot to enact revenge on his stepson. Both Ganelon and Marsile wish to see the brave warrior dead for their own reasons and create a plan to cut off Roland's troops in a mountain pass. It is taken out and Roland shortly finds himself in a heated battle with his best friend Oliver and a Bishop Turpin. Even though Roland is dealing blows with his sword Durendal that cut people in half, the French forces are still greatly outnumbered and losing. Roland's pride will not let him call for help on Oliver's request until it is too late.

The Song of Roland is an originally oral text that eventually made its way down into an English transition. The first time I read this was in French class senior year of high school while also re-enacting it. (Guess who was Roland!) Let me tell you, reading it in English is much better. The narration can get pretty repetitive, but the characters are all fantastic. The most interesting character has a very short scene. Aude, Roland's betrothed and Oliver's sister, when hearing of Roland's death, falls dead on the spot. The interesting part about this piece has to do with when it was written down around 1090. At the time there was still a debate going on about valor and justice, etc. For example, you get the debate between Roland and Oliver, whether it is wiser and braver to fight to the death or to act wisely and call for help. Also, at Ganelon's trial for treason some interesting questions about justice arise concerning what counts as treason and what legal punishment might only be revenge on Charlemagne's part to Ganelon.

It's definitely not going to be on the most recommended pieces of literature, but it is definitely a part of the canon for oral epics. The Song of Roland became an inspiration for Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. It can't be all that bad. If you end up picking up a copy and struggling with it (even though I don't think you will), just be glad you are reading it in English and not in French like I had to.

"A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight."
- Robertson Davies

The "Song of Roland" is an epic about a battle between Christian Franks and Muslim Saracens. The song describes in detail what led up to and caused this battle. Christianity seems to be the main motivation behind Charlemagne's Frankish army to fight with Marsile's Saracen army, but in reality what caused the actual battle was Ganelon wanting revenge on his step-son Roland, for suggesting him to go on the dangerous mission of meeting with Marsile.

This is a story of revenge, chivalry, pride, loyalty, betrayal, and the love and respect for one's king and country. It has everything one would expect in an epic. Charlemagne's historian, Einhard, explains the battle quite differently than how it is in the book. It seems that the truth was twisted to have a good story to tell, perhaps to encourage knights going to battle, or to put them in good spirit, or perhaps just to entertain the elite. Learning of this, my view of the book was changed quite a bit. I believed it to be non-fiction (maybe a mistake, with the events of the song taking place in the 8th century) and now I am not sure which parts are historical. However, the story was quite entertaining, with all the many conflicts and graphic battle scenes giving one the sense of being there. There are also lessons that can be learned from the "Song of Roland", such as standing up for what you believe in, even when the going get's tough, and the power of pride. These are lessons that I think everyone can use and incorporate in their own way.

The Song of Roland is an epic tale of a conflict between the Franks and Saracans, written sometime in the Middle Ages. While historically inaccurate, it offers an entertaining story about the Crusades and the ill-effects pride can have on the lives of many. For example, consider the situation when the French start to exit Spain. Ganelon nominates his step-son Roland to lead the rear guard- a move inspired by Ganelon's motivation to get revenge on Roland for nominating him to bring a message back to Marsille. Roland accepts his role, and stays behind to await (unknowingly) an ambush by the Saracan army. When he finally realizes that he and his men are finally going to be attacked, his close friend Oliver (who is admired for his wisdom) advises him to signal the French army to come back. Roland refuses, even though he can clearly see that his men are outnumbered- he rationalizes that it is better for his men to die with honor than to live with the shame of needing to have called for help. The Saracans eventually attack Roland's men, and although they fight well towards the beginning of the battle, they are eventually overwhelmed. Roland sees his best friend dying, and then realizes the urge to call for help, which he does. Unfortunately for Roland and his men, his call for help was too late, and they all died.

Although this story was written hundreds of years ago, I think many of us today can agree that we've let pride interfere with out judgment. Roland refused to ask for help even though he obviously was going to need it, just to save face. The lesson to take out of this is that when you don't swallow your pride, you will eventually lose the opportunity to get any assistance when you realize you were wrong- Roland eventually figured out he needed to call for help, but when he did, it was far too late for the French army to do anything. Applying the principles from this song to our lives might not be such a bad idea- no matter how old the song is.

I need this book for a college course. Book came quickly and for what I need it for, it is in great condition... but not looking forward to having to read it for school, haha.

Great medieval literature. Always wanted to know what Roland was all about. With this Penguin Classic you will surely do so with a great introduction by a noted scholar and if my memory serves me she was the translator too.