How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #7
"Oliver, companion, friend,
Ganelon the traitor has conspired to have us killed,
But the betrayal cannot be concealed.
The Emperor will take great revenge for this." (112.1456-59)
Ganelon's evil is more ambiguous than the Saracens' evil and fools Roland for a while. But once he discovers it, he claims that finding it out was inevitable: nothing wicked can be concealed. This is the same belief behind the poet's descriptions of all the hideous Saracens. True evil seeps out of your heart and into your skin.
Quote #8
"I cannot brook you people,
Your side is evil and wrong." (117.1548-49)
No wonder Oliver said Roland would be a terrible ambassador to Marsile. Granted, the heat of a battle is not a great place for diplomacy, but this declaration is pretty much expressive of Roland's basic philosophy. It's no use considering the pros and cons of the situation because there are only cons. And the cons are the pagans.
Quote #9
There was no viler man than he in his company.
He has evil vices and has committed many great crimes,
He does not believe in God, the Song of Holy Mary;
He is as black as molten pitch. (125.1632-35)
This killer description belongs to Abisme, a close friend of Marsile, who is a great example of evil not being hidden. According to the poet, black skin = not good, and in Abisme's case it is visual proof of his internal badness.