So, mortality v. immortality: they're different. One means you're dead and the other means you're alive forever. But for the guys in the Song of Roland, they're not as far apart as you might think.
First, it's possible to live a loooong time in this poem. Just look at Charlemagne, who blew out 200 candles on his last birthday cake. Second, no one is overly worried about dying because everyone loves warfare so much. And finally, death's a lot less scary because good mortality is linked with good immortality. In other words, if you live life like a good Christian and die an honorable death, you earn eternal life in heaven.
Questions About Death
- If dying is portrayed so graphically, why is everyone so eager to risk it in constant warfare?
- Is Charlemagne at 200 an old man or a man in his prime?
- Why don't the angels save Roland from dying?
- Why doesn't Charlemagne die in glory like Roland?
Chew on This
Because heavenly immortality is earned by honorable mortality, warfare is less about death than glory.
The graphic physicality of war death is used to strengthen by contrast the joy of serving God and king.