Song of Roland Summary

       The Song of Roland is an epic narrative story about the French King Charlemagne. It is based off the historical character Charlemagne who was crowned 1st Holy Roman Emperor in 800 A.D. In the beginning, we learn that King Charlemagne has been waging war in Spain, and has taken everything except Saragossa which is ruled by King Marsille. We are then introduced to Blancandrin who is the planner for Marsille and he proposes to offer Charlemagne gifts as a peace offering. We then see Charlemagne who has defeated Cordoba and he is portrayed as a good leader and powerful throughout the story.  We then meet Roland who is the nephew of Charlemagne, and Ganelon, the planner for Charlemagne- these two are enemies. Ganelon ends up being chosen to go to King Marsille to accept the peace treaty. Ganelon, however, is a traitor and agrees with Blancandrin to kill Roland. He then lies to the emperor about what Charlemagne, which drives him to be angry to Charlemagne. Ganelon agrees with Marsille that he will kill Roland