How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #4
"Now let each see to it that he employ great blows,
So that bad songs not be sung about us!" (79.1013-14)
No one wants to be the inspiration for "Baby." Roland is more worried about inciting bad songs than inciting a really bad war. His duty to his own reputation—and the way he'll go down to posterity, jongleur-style—means that he can do only the best and bravest things. And since he made it into this celebrated work of epic French poetry, we have to say: it worked, bro.
Quote #5
"I would be behaving like a fool!
I would lose my good name in fair France." (83.1053-54)
One of Roland's main arguments against calling for help is that it would dishonor his name: "Oh that Roland? The one who ran home to Daddy Charlemagne instead of standing his ground like a real man?" He has a duty to himself to fight with courage.
Quote #6
"May it not please the Lord God
That my kinsmen incur reproaches on my account,
Or that fair France should ever fall into disgrace!" (84.1062-64)
But Roland's not just worried about his own honor. He's also in a patriotic stew about the honor of France and his family. Now the stakes of the battle are even bigger. If they refuse to fight, they are desecrating their duty to France itself.