Where to begin? Just think how much of this poem is some description of war. Some scholars have suggested that the medieval fascination with warfare is similar to the modern fascination with romance novels: the same moves are described over and over with slight variation in the details, like the position of the helmets and shields and the exact angle at which the sword slices into someone's brain.
This poem is a celebration of warfare, (1) in the poetic description of the moves and who killed whom; (2) in its justification as a mode of empire expansion; (3) and in its companion role with religion in spreading God's word to pagan lands.
Questions About Warfare
- If Roland hadn't died, would Charlemagne want to fight the pagans mentioned by Gabriel at the end of the poem?
- Does Roland love war too much?
- Do the repeated descriptions of combat advance or hinder the poem's narrative?
- Why does Roland talk to his sword?
Chew on This
Roland's maniacal love of war is responsible for the destruction of his rearguard.
When Roland speaks to and honors his sword, he is humanizing war.