How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #1
"Wage war the way you set out to do:
Lead the army you have summoned to Saragossa,
Lay siege to the city, put all your heart into it,
And avenge those the villain had killed!" (14.210-13)
Roland advocates total war instead of bargains with Marsile. The only way to respond to the deaths of the Frankish messengers is with violence towards Marsile and the whole city.
Quote #2
Blancandrin said: "Roland is a maniac
To want to subdue all peoples
And assert a claim to all lands!
What people does he count on to accomplish such exploits?"
Ganelon replies: "French people.
They love him so much they will never fail him […]
He holds sway over the Emperor himself.
He will conquer for him all the lands from here to the Orient." (30.392-97, 400-01)
To Blancandrin, who is using all his cunning to get peace in Spain, Roland's infatuation with warfare is insane and dangerous. He can't understand the Franks' imperialism, their desire to conquer any country within reach. Ganelon also makes it sound like Roland's personal love of fighting is behind it all. The Franks fight for him because they love him.
Quote #3
"He has conquered his way across so many lands,
He has taken so many blows from good sharp spears,
He has slain and vanquished in battle so many powerful kings:
When will he ever forsake waging war?"
"Not," said Ganelon, "so long as Roland lives." (42.553-57)
Charlemagne is also a huge fan of fighting, but Ganelon believes that Roland is the engine propelling the Frankish war machine. If he died, Charlemagne might go on a war-free diet.