Sinopsis
How legends grow from songs to a global epic—and what that says about culture, memory, and history.
This nonfiction look at the Chanson de Roland explains how early ballads transformed into a medieval epic. It traces how a largely unwritten oral tradition, set against Charlemagne’s world, shaped a story that endured through centuries of shifting culture. From myth to manuscript, you’ll explore how ballads accumulate new incidents and characters, how language and audience influence the telling, and why some legends persist while others fade. The book also examines the political and religious backdrop that colors the tale, highlighting the tension between history and fiction in foundational medieval storytelling.
- How oral verse becomes a written epic and why that matters to literary history
- The roles of key figures like Roland and Olivier, and what their fame reveals about chivalry
- Why Charlemagne’s era is a fitting stage for legend and for debates about truth in story
- Notes on manuscript sources, language, and the development of ancient myths
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Reseña del editor
Excerpt from The Song of Roland
So much has been written on the origin and growth of legend, that it would be unpardonable to dwell upon the subject. Its cradle is the imagination, of an unlettered people. Their minds, like those of children, delight in marvels, and yield them an eager credence. First come ballads of rude and simple structure; new incidents, new personages are added year after year by the fancies of a hundred unknown bards, until it may come to pass, possibly after centuries, that this floating ballad-lore is seized on by the genius of some great poet, and, while faith in the legend as yet survives, is embodied in some immortal poem. Thus the ballad is crystallized into the epic. So was it with the Iliad; so, in their degree, was it with the early ballads concerning Charlemagne and his heroes.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Reseña del editor
Excerpt from The Song of Roland
Charlemagne has had the fortune, unique so far as I know, of being a hero both of history and of fable. The one character seems in general to exclude the other. Achilles, Odin, the Cid, King Arthur, Cuchullin, whose achievements are unknown, whose existence has been questioned, have been the centres of the greatest cycles of legendary romance. On the other hand, is it not at first thought surprising that a figure so dazzling and romantic as Alexander the Great, whose recorded exploits may vie with those of the hero of the Iliad, whom he envied, never became the theme of popular song? The same may be said of Hannibal, of Julius Cæsar, and Napoleon.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
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The Song of Roland (Classic Reprint)
Impresión bajo demandaLibrería: Forgotten Books, London, Reino Unido
Calificación del vendedor: 4 de 5 estrellas
Paperback. Condición: New. Print on Demand. This book is a comprehensive analysis of the famous medieval poem "The Song of Roland", an exemplary work of epic literature from the 11th century. Its detailed history and evolution are traced, from its initial oral tradition to the many forms it has taken over time. The author skillfully examines the central themes, exploring the rich tapestry of heroism, faith, destiny, and the struggle between good and evil that resonates with readers to this day. The book also explores the remarkable impact this epic has had on literature and art, highlighting its enduring influence on Western culture and the insights it provides into the human condition. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Nº de ref. del artículo: 9781331703785_0
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The Song of Roland Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condición: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Nº de ref. del artículo: LW-9781331703785
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The Song of Roland Classic Reprint
Librería: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, Reino Unido
Calificación del vendedor: 4 de 5 estrellas
PAP. Condición: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Nº de ref. del artículo: LW-9781331703785
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