Synopsis
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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About the Author
Charles Kenneth Scott Moncrieff, (1889 – 1930) was a Scottish writer, most famous for his English translation of most of Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu, which he published under the Shakespearean title Remembrance of Things Past.
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The Song of Roland (Classic Reprint)
Print on DemandSeller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: 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. Seller Inventory # 9781331703785_0
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The Song of Roland Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781331703785
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The Song of Roland Classic Reprint
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781331703785
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