How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #1
Ganelon replies: "You will not go in my place!
You're not my vassal and I'm not your lord.
Charles orders me to render him a service,
So I'll go to Saragossa, to Marsile." (21.296-99)
Ganelon refuses Roland's cheeky offer to replace him by declaring that they have no feudal obligations. Sure, they're related, but that carries a whole different set of baggage. What Ganelon is claiming is that they're not obligated to serve each other. Ganelon is, on the other hand, feudally tied to Charlemagne, so when he tells him to vamoose, Ganelon has no option.
Quote #2
His nephew came to him wearing his byrnie,
For he had been plundering near Carcasoine.
He held a red apple in his hand:
"Here, dear lord," said Roland to his uncle.
"I present you with the crowns of all the kings." (29.384-88)
In Ganelon's opinion, Roland's plundering of unsubdued parts of France ("Carcasoine" is an archaic spelling of "Carcassonne") goes beyond duty into arrogance. And when you picture a young, gleeful Roland holding up an apple and pretending it's a crown, you kinda have to agree. There's something about Roland's joy, not to mention his success,in warfare that rubs Ganelon the wrong way.
Quote #3
"We must stand here for our king:
One must suffer hardships for one's lord
And endure great heat and great cold.
One must also lose hide and hair." (79.1009-12)
Before Oliver even mentions the oliphant, Roland welcomes the oncoming battle with Marsile's army as a way for his men to perform their duty to Charlemagne. It's not enough to fight well—this is a case of no pain, no gain. The more you're willing to suffer for your king, the better you are as a knight.