A contemporary prose rendering of the great medieval French epic, The Song of Roland is as canonical and significant as the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf. It extols the chivalric ideals in the France of Charlemagne through the exploits of Charlemagne's nephew, the warrior Roland, who fights bravely to his death in a legendary battle. Against the bloody backdrop of the struggle between Christianity and Islam, The Song of Roland remains a vivid portrayal of medieval life, knightly adventure, and feudal politics.
The first great literary works of a culture are its epic chronicles, those that create simple hero-figures about whom the imagination of a nation can crystallize, observed V. S. Pritchett.
The Song of Roland is animated by the crusading spirit and fortified by national and religious propaganda.
This edition features W. S. Merwin's glowing, lyrical translation.
By:
W. S. Merwin Translated by:
W. S. Merwin Imprint: Modern Library Country of Publication: United States Edition: New edition Dimensions:
Height: 203mm,
Width: 132mm,
Spine: 9mm
Weight: 139g ISBN:9780375757112 ISBN 10: 0375757112 Series:Modern Library Classics Pages: 256 Publication Date:15 March 2001 Audience:
College/higher education
,
General/trade
,
Primary
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Reviews for The Song of Roland
""The Song of Roland is not a chance assembly of popular tales: it is a deliberate and masterly work of art.""
