The Song of Roland - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140440755 ISBN 13: 9780140440751

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1957

Synopsis

On 15 August 778, Charlemagne’s army was returning from a successful expedition against Saracen Spain when its rearguard was ambushed in a remote Pyrenean pass. Out of this skirmish arose a stirring tale of war, which was recorded in the oldest extant epic poem in French. The Song of Roland, written by an unknown poet, tells of Charlemagne’s warrior nephew, Lord of the Breton Marches, who valiantly leads his men into battle against the Saracens, but dies in the massacre, defiant to the end. In majestic verses, the battle becomes a symbolic struggle between Christianity and paganism, while Roland’s last stand is the ultimate expression of honour and feudal values of twelfth-century France.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

The poem's vivid set pieces--the treason of Ganelon, the last stand of Roland at Roncesvals, Charlemagne's campaign of vengeance, and the final act of retribution--are justly famous.

About the Author:

Glyn Burgess teaches at the University of Liverpool. He is an expert on early medieval French literature, and has translated and written widely on this area.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1957
• ISBN 10: 0140440755
• ISBN 13: 9780140440751
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208