Tammy’s Reviews > The Song of Roland > Status Update

100-103 Some guy from Bourdeaux kills his man; he tells the devil to take him. Another of the twelve kills a pagan and delivers his line. It’s just as I thought. They’re going after the twelve pagans and ten are dead. Only two are left. One is quite strong and he sets his sights on Olver. I wonder if this will drive Roland to sound his horn. Oliver’s shield is broken but his ribs are not touched. Here it comes.

98-99 Samson goes runs through Almanzor and the archbishop comments on his valor. It’s almost as if the Twelve French are going after the Twelve pages, but then the numbers will overwhelm them. It’s part of the structure of doubles and repetition as well as to show how superior the French are as individuals. Another of the twelve goes down and Roland comments on how valiant he is.

95-97 A Barbary king talks about French having weak numbers. Since Charles can’t come, they will die today. This ticks off the archbishop who takes care of the Barbary king in short order. He cries the French will not flee and he rallies the men with “Mountjoy!” One of the twelve kills a pagan and SATAN hauls his soul away. This reminds me of “The Iliad.” His buddy kills the emir. Oliver notes how well they’re doing.

93-94 One pagan taunts Roland and says that Charlemagne is betrayed and he will lose his right arm (just like the dream). Roland rages on him and he never speaks another word. Roland does not tolerate insults to his uncle. He cries that right is on their side. Marsilion’s brother mourns this death and he goes into battle. Wrath fills Oliver who takes care of this man. More “Mountjoy” cries sound.

91-92 My heart goes out to him. He knows they are going to die but he speaks to them with courtesy. He has to speak softly. He knows that it’s his fault. Oliver has nothing to say. He’s angry and he feels sorry for Charlemagne who would have bailed them out had he known. He tells the men to be resolute and hit with firm blows. They give the war-cry “Mountjoy!” They charge and hand-to-hand combat begins.

89-91 They kneel and bow their heads and the archbishop confers a blessing. Their penance is to strike firmly. WOW They leap to their steeds. Before they go, Roland admits the truth to Oliver. Ganelon sold them out for gold and treasure. He’s counting on Charlemagne to avenge their deaths. It might be a sleeping giant moment. His face changes expressions: meek and mild to his men and proud and tough to the Saracens.

87-89 Roland calls him a coward. He sees the hord and says brave words because he knows they’re all going to die. The archbishop gives a death for king and country speech. It’s one thing to give up one’s life for a cause. It’s another to give it up because of a bad decision made by a leader. He gives them absolution before they go into battle. They will need it for they are joining the white-robed army of martyrs.

85-87 It’s all pride! A third time, Oliver asks for Oliphant to be sounded. Roland does not want anyone to accuse him of blowing the horn (it’s too wimpy). Oliver points out that nobody will question them but he thinks he will defame France by using it. He is playing into Ganelon’s trap. As the pagans close in, Oliver tells Roland what he thinks. It’s a lost cause. They are all going to die because of Roland’s pride.

82-84 Oliver sees they face an impossible task and they will need God’s strength. The French numbers are small and they have never faced such a task. He asks Roland to sound the horn to alert Charlemagne to their dire situation. Roland refuses to admit that they are outnumbered. The name of the horn is Oliphant (LotR)!!!!! Roland thinks it will dishonor his house to ask for help and he makes more bragging boasts.

79-82 The French hear the trumpets. Oliver comments that they will battle today. Roland says the Mohammedans are in the wrong and Christians are in the right. He’s putting God to the test! Oliver figures it out. Ganelon has betrayed them because he sees what really happened to the 400,000 men. Roland tells him not to gossip about his stepfather. There are too many for Oliver to count. They are ready for battle.