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'''The Song of Roland''' is the oldest major work of [[French]] literature.  It is a form of epic poem called a "song of deeds."  The Song of Roland is about the death of Roland, one of [[Charlemagne]]'s generals, and his troops.  It was written in the twelfth century AD and is set in AD 778.  Because The Song of Roland was written around the time of the [[First Crusade]], many claim it was used as propaganda to recruit people to fight the Moslems.  However, others say that the horrifying way in which it depicts war would not motivate anyone to go to battle.

'''The Song of Roland''' is the oldest major work of [[French]] literature.  It is a form of epic poem called a "song of deeds."  The Song of Roland is about the death of Roland, one of [[Charlemagne]]'s generals, and his troops.  It was written in the twelfth century AD and is set in AD 778.  Because The Song of Roland was written around the time of the [[First Crusade]], many claim it was used as propaganda to recruit people to fight the Moslems.  However, others say that the horrifying way in which it depicts war would not motivate anyone to go to battle.

A free translation of The Song of Roland: [http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/roland_crosland.pdf].

*[http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/roland_crosland.pdf Free online translation]

The Dorothy Sayers translation, in verse, attempts to preserve the original rhyme scheme.  It is available for purchase [http://www.amazon.com/Song-Roland-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6896887-5284101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174767907&sr=8-1 here].

{{DEFAULTSORT: Song of Roland, The}}

 

[[Category:Poetry]]

[[Category:Poetry|Song of Roland, The]]