In Song of Rowland, the author tells the story of Charlemagne's attempted take of Zaragoza, a land controlled by the Muslim king Marsilla. The poem covers the feud between Rowland and his stepfather Ganelon, as well as the disastrous consequences that arise from that feud, including the betrayal of their lord and kinsman, Charlemagne. Through characterization and plot, the author is able to convey the overall theme of the work: that of loyalty. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Throughout the poem, three characters are introduced to show varying degrees of loyalty. One such character is Ganelon, vassal of Emperor Charlemagne and stepfather of the title character, Roland. After being appointed by his stepson for a suicide mission as a messenger to Marsilla, Ganelon travels to Zaragoza and, acting disloyally towards Charlemagne, betrays Roland to Marsilla. He tells the Muslim leader that Roland is the reason they continue to fight and that they will not rest while he is still alive. Ganelon also gives Marsilla the location where Roland is likely to be when they return to France, saying, "The king will reach the main pass at Sizer, leaving the guard arrayed behind him. There will be his nephew, the rich Count Roland, and Olivier, on whom he relies so much. They will have a force of twenty thousand francs. Send a hundred thousand of your pagans...” (Rolanda, 583-588).Marsilla then prepares to ambush Roland and his men as they return. in France with the gifts of the Muslims. While it is debatable whether this move is disloyal or not, given that Ganelon had cast Defiance on Roland, a strong case can be made that Ganelon was behaving disloyally. Ganelon initially behaved disloyally towards his family. Roland was his stepson, so attempting to harm or kill him would be seen as a disloyal act, since they are relatives, if only because Ganelon was married to Roland's mother. However, Roland was carrying out Charlemagne's orders, so not only Ganelon betrayed. Roland, but by default he also betrayed Charlemagne, a person to whom Ganelon swore allegiance. Ganelon's first duty was to his lord, not his feud with Roland. Additionally, Ganelon's act of disloyalty didn't just affect Roland, as he wasn't the only person to be killed because of it. Ganelon's disloyalty led to the destruction of nearly 20,000 men. Therefore, Ganelon is the most obvious character to act disloyally, as he has betrayed both his family and his lord. However, Ganelon was not the only one to act disloyally towards Charlemagne. At first glance, Roland appears to be the perfect example of a model vassal. In court he speaks out against sending a messenger to negotiate a peace treaty, as the previous messengers have all been killed. It says “…he sent about fifteen pagans, each carrying an olive branch; they said the same words to you then... you sent two of your counts to the pagans (Basan was one, the other was Basil) who promptly took the head near Haltilie. having the best interests of the Franks at heart, Roland is inadvertently disloyal to his fellow vassals, as he speaks out of turn. Since Roland was a younger vassal, he would have to wait to speak until the higher-ranking vassals did so. He proves disloyal even while under attack by Muslim forces at Sizer Pass. After seeing the size of the Muslim army, Olivier asks Roland to honk and call for help, as they are severely outnumbered. However, Roland refuses to ask for assistance,saying "God forbid... let it be said by any living man, have I ever blown the horn because of the heathen! My family will never be rebuked. When I stand in the midst of this great battle and strike a thousand blows, then seven hundred , you will see Durendalus' blade dripping blood. Roland refuses to give up his honor, even if it means the loss of his men and even his own life. He is clearly disloyal to Charlemagne, for a loyal vassal does not kill 20,000. men, simply because he does not want to lose honor. Therefore, although Roland was for the most part loyal, he allowed personal honor to interfere with that loyalty. Furthermore, loyalty to his family is called into question, as he appointed Ganelon as a messenger for Marsilla. Since Ganelon was her stepfather, it was disrespectful and disloyal to his family for Roland to suggest that Ganelon travel to Zaragoza. Ganelon acknowledges this disloyalty, saying, "They know well enough that I am yours stepson, yet you ask me to go to Marsilla. If God should deign me to return again, then I will stir up such a feud with you that it will last as long as you live." (Roland 287-291) Roland, knowing that Marsilla's messenger would most likely go to death, names Ganelon, acting so disloyal to his family, as Ganelon's death would be harmful to the entire family, not just Ganelon himself. He shows his loyalty to Charlemagne, offering to return with Blancandrin to Zaragoza, saying "But if it pleases the king, I would like to go Charlemagne, however, refuses, as Olivier is one of the twelve peers, and Charlemagne refuses to allow any of the twelve." equal to act as a messenger. However, Olivier is not only a loyal vassal. He is also a loyal friend. In the battle at Sizer's pass, he suggests that Roland should sound the horn and call for help, as they are outnumbered of the pagan soldiers they face, Oliver advises Roland, saying: "There are many pagans and, it seems to me, we Franks are few. Comrade Roland, you should blow the horn so Charles will listen and bring the army back." He was loyal to both Charlemagne and Roland, as he offered Roland advice in times of trouble and suggested Roland try to avoid the deaths of 20,000 men . He also stands by Roland, rather than leave, even though he knows it will ultimately lead to his death. Roland, seeing that Olivier has died in the fight, acknowledges his loyalty, saying: "Olivier, right comrade, you were the son of the wealthy Duke Renier, who ruled the frontier valley of the Runners. To break a spear shaft or pierce a shield, to conquer and terrify the proud, to advise and support the valiant, to conquer and terrify the greedy, no country has ever had a better knight. Olivier can be seen as the model example of a loyal vassal not only for his loyalty to his lord, Charlemagne, but also for his unswerving loyalty to his friend, even until death. Loyalty is not limited to the Christian side, however. Blancandrin, Marsilla's Muslim vassal, is described as "Among the wisest pagans... very chivalrous, respectful and skillful in the service of his lord". (Roland 24-26) Blancandrin advises Marsilla to tell Charlemagne that she will accept the Christian faith, becoming Charlemagne's vassal. He also advises offering many gifts, including hostages, in exchange for the Franks' departure from Spain. He goes so far as to offer his son as a hostage, saying: "If he [Charlemagne] should ask for hostages, then send them to gain his trust: about ten or twenty. We will send him the children of our wives; even if this..