In the following excerpt, Brault discusses the historical, political, and religious background to The Song of Roland.

In the following excerpt, Goldin explains the roles of history, Christianity, and loyalty in understanding the world of The Song of Roland.

In the following essay, Vance analyzes the narrative patterns of The Song of Roland and explains its emphasis on commemoration.

In the following essay, Benton examines how the treatment of war in The Song of Roland inspired soldiers in the twelfth and twentieth centuries.

In the following essay, Keller considers and rejects various dates of composition for The Song of Roland, advances his own timeline for its development, and contends that its chief purpose was to advance the interests of the Capetian kingdom.

In the following excerpt, Vance explains how the author of The Song of Roland uses traditional verbal formulas while managing to convey contradictions and abstractions in the poem.

In the following essay, Haidu explores how Charles breaks with tradition in his reaction to Roland's death.

In the following essay, Zimroth analyzes the interrelationship in The Song of Roland between predeterminism, free will, and divine grace.

In the following excerpt, Merwin outlines Charlemagne's disastrous battle in the Pyrenees in which Roland was killed and describes how the tale of the defeat, through retelling, eventually achieved legendary status.

In the following essay, Ramey discusses positive and negative elements of the description of the Saracen in The Song of Roland.