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: 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.

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.

Roman Lives

Author: Plutarch
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191605085
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 596

Book Description
Marcus Cato Sulla Aemilius Paullus Pompey The Gracchi Marius Julius Caesar Anthony 'I treat the narrative of the Lives as a kind of mirror...The experience is like nothing so much as spending time in their company and living with them: I receive and welcome each of them in turn as my guest.' In the eight lives of this collection Plutarch introduces the reader to the major figures and periods of classical Rome. He portrays virtues to be emulated and vices to be avoided, but his purpose is also implicitly to educate and warn those in his own day who wielded power. In prose that is rich, elegant and sprinkled with learned references, he explores with an extraordinary degree of insight the interplay of character and political action. While drawing chiefly on historical sources, he brings to biography a natural story-teller's ear for a good anecdote. Throughout the ages Plutarch's Lives have been valued for their historical value and their charm. This new translation will introduce new generations to his urbane erudition. The most comprehensive selection available, it is accompanied by a lucid introduction, explanatory notes, bibliographies, maps and indexes. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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!

Heroes of the French Epic

Author:
Publisher: Boydell Press
ISBN: 9781843831471
Category : Chansons de geste
Languages : en
Pages : 724

Book Description
"The translations preserve the dynamic, musical qualities of their oral-based originals, and are intended for both general and more specialised readers. Introductions and Select Bibliographies accompany each poem."--Jacket.