Summary "Song of Roland". Feat entered the history

In the whole of the French epic, the "Song of Roland" takes a special place. The main characters of this narrative are real historical figures. France itself was not at that time - the feudal relations were still developing. But there was a mighty empire of the Franks led by Charlemagne. In the territory of modern Spain (which was also not yet a state), the emperor waged a religious war against the Moors. The war was quite successful, and by the beginning of the events described in the "Song ..." events, only one Saragossian kingdom remained unconquered, where Marsilus, the worshiper of Muhammad, ruled. Karl the Great had only one step to take to take Saragossa.

The plot of the work

But the knightly frankness of the Franks is opposed by their opponents to a cunning plan. The council of the wisest of the Saracens, led by King Maurice, introduces an intrigue - the "Song of Roland" narrates about this. The summary tells of the Moor Blancandrina, the Val-Fontain Castellan, who recommended his king to achieve peace, luring the Emperor Charles to the Aachen Cathedral, supposedly for the presence at the baptism of King Maurice.

The game began with the departure of the king of Saragossa as a gift of a rich caravan of seven hundred camels and four hundred mules with gifts: gold and silver.

Marsilius, apparently, intended to capture Karl (it must have happened on the day of St. Michael). At the same time, he, as a chess player, sacrificed the hostages given to the Franks.

At stake is peace and the continuation of government. Manage the Saracenic embassy appoint "author of the project" - a cunning Blankandrin.

The tactic of the Saracen Ambassador is briefly described. "The Song of Roland" reveals his intention: first, to convey to the king disinformation, and secondly, to try to find among the francs an influential ally-traitor. With these tasks, he manages. In the scene of the meeting of the ambassadors, "The Song" gives a pictorial picture of the magnificent, respectable environment of Charlemagne, who sits on a majestic throne in a beautiful garden.

The Emperor of the Franks is in no hurry to respond. He sends ambassadors, and he himself gathers the closest vassals to the council.

The first to take the word Count Roland, the nephew of the king. He claims that Marsilius is dishonest and mean. Why did he suddenly become peaceful? After all, he already has the blood of the peaceful ambassadors of the Counts Basil and Bazan on his hands. Is this not enough? The knight urges the king to immediately declare a march to Zaragoza and to logically end the war with the Saracens.

On the council of the vassals of the king, Ganelon convinces, that the Moorish king wants peace - tells us a brief summary. "The Song of Roland" shows the hidden essence of Ganelon. The proud prince envies Roland, because he is the favorite of Charlemagne and the permanent commander of the army of the Franks.

Sly Ganelon knows that many barons are tired of the continuous battles and are not averse to rest. This he uses. The commander of the royal cavalry, Baron Nemon of Bavaria, recommends that the king heed the speeches of Ganelon and wait for the Moors on St. Michael's Day in Aachen. Roland's proposal is rejected. The king directs Ganelon at the head of the embassy to the Moors.

Departing with the ambassadorial mission, Ganelon "accidentally" meets Blankandrin and conducts secret talks with him - a brief summary shows us. "The Song of Roland" depicts in all unpleasantness the betrayal of Ganelon, who wants to destroy Roland. The scoundrel depicts the castellan of the young count as the main threat to the Saracens, urging him to kill him. The Saracens agrees with him.

Arriving to Tsar Marsil, treacherous Ganelon, he also tunes up against his adopted son, having played with greed the following argument: after the adoption of Christianity, the king of the Moors will get half of Spain, but the other half will be given by Roland. And Roland, whose talent - in the war, will certainly continue to clarify the relationship with Marsilia and after the conclusion of peace.

Marsilius thanks the traitor for their assistance and promises him the gift of Spanish castles, and the Count's wife from his treasury graced with jewelry.

Meanwhile, Charles's tired army leaves from Spain home. The king leaves to watch for order in the conquered territories of Roland (on the advice of Ganelon). A brave knight agrees to stand behind France and the Emperor, even if the Lord would leave only his one to guard the gorge. With the young earl, his faithful fighting fellows: Gautier, Jerin, Odon, Olivier, Archbishop Turpin. A tear slides down from the eyes of the emperor of the Franks, he gives his favorite bow.

The feat of Roland

After the departure of the army of Charles, the detachment of Roland descends into the gorge. In this maneuver from the hill, Roland and his faithful knight Olivier see the approaching army of Saracens. However, the brave count decides to take the fight and defeat the infidels. On the bravery of the Franks, with the battle cry of "Manzhoy" attacking the enemy's exceeding forces, tells a brief summary. "Song of Roland" convincingly draws knightly battle scenes. The braves of the Moors. But as for the bravery of the French knights, it seems that the feeling of self-preservation is fundamentally alien to them. Numerous losses of enemies, however, fresh forces are constantly approaching the Saracens. Repeatedly repeated by the brave Olivier, the request, addressed to Roland - to blow the horn, to call for help the army of Charlemagne was received too late. The hero blows when a bloody foam rolls from his lips. The King of Franks hears the call and deploys the army.

Roland, the survivor, with the faithful knight Olivier do the impossible: the two attack the battered vanguard of the enemy, scatter selected warriors guarding the rate of the Saracen king, the hero cuts the hand to Marsilia himself, kills the prince and the son of the Saragossian king. In this aftermath, the Moors kill his friend Olivierre with a spear in the back.

Hearing the rumble of the earth - the approach of the main forces of the Franks, the enemies flee. Roland remains alone on the battlefield. He, undefeated, leaning on his faithful sword Durandal, exhausted falls to the ground. Here the hero lying haggard physically and morally (losing his friends) is struck in the back by the stealing Moor. The army of the Franks, which arrived in time, inflicts a crushing defeat on the Saracens.

Further. Emperor Karl judges the traitor Ganelon, he, using the knightly code, requires proof of the truth in battle. From the side of Karl, the mighty Thierry will fight. Sam wounded, Thierry defeats the opponent. The death of the traitor Ganelon is terrible: he is tied for the hands and feet to the horses and drives the distraught animals into the water. Charlemagne is inconsolable.

Was Roland right that he first saw the hordes of Saracens, did not blow the horn? If we talk from the point of view of everyday common sense, then no. But this situation is irrational, if we imagine that the hero is not an ordinary philistine. He, in fact, before the fatal battle for himself, repeatedly risked his life for the sole purpose - to gain fame, which would remain in the memory of the descendants. The last battle ended with the victory of Roland over the retreating enemy, and his heroic death forever brought him into the French epic.