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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which one of the following is not a reason to summon Charlemagne?

2. To whom does Charlemagne turn to for counsel?

3. Who does Ganelon refer to as a "courteous paladin?"

4. Who is Baldwin?

5. What event will be celebrated with Charlemagne?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ganelon's position on Marsile's hostile efforts against Charlemagne? What is the term that describes Ganelon's actions?

2. Who is Baligant and why does he go to Saragossa? What are the consequences if Baligant refuses?

3. What does Charlemagne do to ensure that Bromimonde converts to Christianity? How does Bromimonde respond to the treatment?

4. According to part one, what is Roland's role in the Song of Roland?

5. Oliver goes ahead to act as look out. What does Oliver see and how does it affect the French soldiers' plans?

6. Which of Charlemagne's highest ranking officers is by his side when the king arrives at the battle? How do the men react to the carnage?

7. What is Roland's reaction to Blancandrin's tale and promises?

8. Marsile nearly makes a fatal mistake when devising the first plan. What is the initial plan and what was the mistake?

9. Why is it important to note that Roland and Archbishop Turpin are the last two remaining French soldiers?

10. What actions best represent Baligant's troops' eagerness to forge ahead with the battle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Charlemagne arrives at Spanish Pass to find all of his soldiers dead. Charlemagne begins to go after the fleeing Saracens but is stopped by an act of nature. What is the act? How is the situation remedied? The act of nature is a metaphor for what moral? Does the solution help or hurt Charlemagne's battle?

Essay Topic 2

In several parts of the poem, references are made to the swords belonging to various warriors, including Charlemagne, Roland, Oliver, Turpin, and Marsile. What is the significance of the sword in context with the story? Why did the soldiers give names to their swords? Why did Roland try to destroy his sword just before he died?

Essay Topic 3

The battle between Marsile and Charlemagne is actual and metaphoric. Examine the conflict between the kingdoms, their politics and their difference in religious beliefs. How do the latter affect the way the soldiers fight? How did the preparations (or lack thereof) affect the outcome of the battles?

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