The Song of Roland and Other Poems of Charlemagne

Author: Simon Gaunt
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191628204
Category : Poetry
Languages : en
Pages : 334

Book Description
Charles the king, our emperor great, Has been a full seven years in Spain. As far as the sea he conquered this haughty land. Not a single castle remains standing in his path Charlemagne (768-814) was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 and presided over a huge empire. He frequently appears in literature as a great warlord and pious crusading figure. In 778, the rearguard of Charlemagne's retreating army was ambushed and defeated at the battle of Roncevaux. This became the inspiration for songs and poems celebrating deeds of valour in the face of overwhelming odds, through the character of Charlemagne's nephew (the imaginary) Roland. The Song of Roland is the most stirring and moving epic poem of the European Middle Ages, offering a particularly heady mixture of history, legend, and poetry. Presented here in a lively and idiomatic new translation, the Song of Roland offers fascinating insights into medieval ideas about heroism, manhood, religion, race, and nationhood which were foundational for modern European culture. The Song of Roland is accompanied here by two other medieval French epics about Charlemagne, both of which show him to be a far more equivocal figure than that portrayed by the Roland: the Occitan Daurel and Beton, in which he is a corrupt and avaricious monarch; and the Journey of Charlemagne to Jerusalem and Constantinople, which gives the heroes of the Roland a comic makeover.

The Song of Roland and Other Poems of Charlemagne

Author:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191628190
Category : Poetry
Languages : en
Pages : 272

The Song of Roland

Author: Anonymous
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Poetry
Languages : en
Pages : 149

Book Description
The Song of Roland is a book of poems by an anonymous author. It depicts a gory French tale of war, where General Charlemagne was ambushed in a remote Pyrenean pass, showcasing a symbolic struggle between Christianity and Islam.

The Story of Roland

Author: James Baldwin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Roland (Legendary character)
Languages : en
Pages : 564

Book Description

The Song of Roland

Author: W. S. Merwin
Publisher: Modern Library
ISBN: 0307790258
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 162

Book Description
A contemporary prose rendering of the great medieval French epic, The Song of Roland is as canonical and significant as the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf. It extols the chivalric ideals in the France of Charlemagne through the exploits of Charlemagne's nephew, the warrior Roland, who fights bravely to his death in a legendary battle. Against the bloody backdrop of the struggle between Christianity and Islam, The Song of Roland remains a vivid portrayal of medieval life, knightly adventure, and feudal politics. The first great literary works of a culture are its epic chronicles, those that create simple hero-figures about whom the imagination of a nation can crystallize, observed V. S. Pritchett. The Song of Roland is animated by the crusading spirit and fortified by national and religious propaganda. This edition features W. S. Merwin's glowing, lyrical translation.

The Song of Roland

Author: Leonard Bacon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Book Description
First and greatest French epic, this 11th-century tale of romance and heroism recounts the adventures of the warrior Roland, nephew to Charlemagne and prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Crystalline translation by Leonard Bacon of a patriotic and poetic story of valor, betrayal, and revenge.

The Song of Roland

Author: Michael A. Newth
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781599102603
Category : Poetry
Languages : en
Pages : 126

Book Description
"A new verse translation of the "Song of Roland" intended to introduce readers to epic chanting by providing a sense of the form and feel of original performance; includes introduction, glosary and bibliography"--Provided by publisher.

Kid Beowulf: The Song of Roland

Author: Alexis E. Fajardo
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 144948591X
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 283

Book Description
Giants! Elephants! Roller Coasters? That's just some of the mayhem twin brothers Beowulf and Grendel discover in the second adventure in the series by Alexis E. Fajardo! Banished from their homeland, the brothers seek refuge with their Uncle Holger in far-off France, but by the time they arrive, the kingdom is in shambles: King Charlemagne is ailing; his knights have been exiled; and France's hero, Roland, needs a kick in the pants. It's up to Beowulf and Grendel to unite the country before it's taken over by an invading Saracen horde!

Roman Lives

Author: Plutarch,
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199537380
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 596

Book Description
Plutarch introduces the reader to the major figures of classical Rome. He portrays virtues to be emulated and vices to be avoided, but his purpose is also to educate and warn those in his own day who wielded power.

Anthology of Medieval Literature

Author: Rebecca Berg Manor
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781893103504
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 238

Book Description
Beautiful Feet Books' Anthology of Medieval Literature traces the development of thought and culture in Europe from the fourth century up through the 1300s. Beginning with excerpts from Augustine's Confessions and culminating with selections from Dante's Divine Comedy, students will trace medieval culture from the beginnings of Christendom to the Age of Exploration. Selections from major works such as The Song of Roland, Marco Polo's Book of Wonders, and The Deeds of Charlemagne are included along with poems, creeds, hymns, and selections from medieval thinkers like Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas. For use with Beautiful Feet Books' Literature Approach to Medieval History study guide, this anthology will provide high school level students with an introductory survey of some of the greatest literary works of western civilization.