Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Ganelon

There's no question that Ganelon is the villain here, in the tradition of wicked stepparents. His resentment of Roland gets the battle rolling, inspiring him to plot with the Saracens against the Franks, while his suspicious dismissal of the oliphant confirms his guilt.

Marsile

King Marsile of Saragossa, Ganelon's ally against Roland and natural enemy of the Franks, is another villain. But unlike Ganelon, his villainy isn't the result of bad decisions like revenge and treachery; as a non-Christian he is just naturally wicked. What's more, it's no surprise that he hates Charlemagne and wants to destroy his military power. Spain's had seven years of Frankish war and he wants peace at any cost.