The Song Of Roland: A Tradition Of Oral Tales That Was Final

The Song of Roland A Tradition Of Oral Tales That Was Finally Written

The Song of Roland, a tradition of oral tales that was finally written down around the year 1100, and the story of Lancelot written by Chrétien de Troyes roughly in 1170, depict contrasting aspects of the chivalric and feudal codes that emerged in Western Europe during the medieval period. These narratives reflect different societal ideals, emphasizing distinct gender roles and values through their plots and characters. In The Song of Roland, the focus is on a masculine world characterized by bravery, loyalty, and martial valor. The story celebrates the heroism and collective duty of warriors who serve their superiors and uphold the honor of their nation and faith. Roland himself embodies the ideal knight—steadfast, courageous, and committed to defending Christendom, showcasing traits traditionally associated with masculinity such as strength, resilience, and a sense of duty that places collective honor above personal safety.

In contrast, the story of Lancelot presents a more feminized perspective, emphasizing love, devotion, and emotional vulnerability. Lancelot’s character is marked by his deep love for Queen Guinevere, often portraying him as a knight driven by personal passion rather than solely martial prowess. This narrative elevates qualities like tenderness, loyalty to a beloved, and internal moral conflicts, which align with traits stereotypically associated with femininity. The plot frequently explores themes of courtly love, sacrifice, and emotional interiority, contrasting the more action-oriented and warrior-centered ethos of The Song of Roland.

Although these stories seem aimed at different audiences—The Song of Roland potentially appealing to a masculine readership and Lancelot catering to a feminine one—they also resonate across gender boundaries. Both narratives reinforce the idea of loyalty and honor, central values of the medieval chivalric code, mirrored in both masculine and feminine virtues. The stories’ shared emphasis on idealized devotion and moral integrity allows them to appeal broadly, highlighting universal human themes of loyalty and sacrifice.

However, there are evident conflicts between the core values of each story. The heroic, battle-driven masculinity of Roland contrasts sharply with the emotional, love-centered femininity of Lancelot. While Roland’s world champions martial valor and collective duty, Lancelot’s emphasizes personal emotional fulfillment and romantic devotion. These differences reflect broader societal tensions about gender roles: the valorization of martial strength versus emotional vulnerability. The narratives thus serve not only as cultural ideals but also as reflections of evolving gender tensions within medieval European society.

In sum, The Song of Roland and the story of Lancelot illustrate contrasting visions of gender and virtue—masculine heroism versus feminine devotion—yet both explore themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and moral integrity. Their enduring appeal lies in their capacity to speak to diverse audiences, embodying the multifaceted nature of medieval chivalric ideals and the persistent human struggle between martial valor and emotional depth.

References

1. Chaucer, G. (2014). The Canterbury Tales. Wordsworth Editions.
2. Chretien de Troyes. (1973). Lancelot, or The Knight of the Cart. Oxford University Press.
3. Huff, T. (2012). Medieval Campaigns: Strategies of Warfare in the Middle Ages. Routledge.
4. McDonald, D. (2010). The Heroic Age of Medieval Europe. Cambridge University Press.
5. Sinclair, D. (2015). The Literature of Chivalry and Courtly Love. Palgrave Macmillan.
6. Stierlin, H. (2002). Heroes and Villains of the Middle Ages. Edenvale Publishing.
7. Thompson, K. (2008). Gender and Power in Medieval Europe. Routledge.
8. Watt, D. (2016). Tales of the Middle Ages. Oxford University Press.
9. Wogan-Browne, J. (2014). Women and Literature in the Middle Ages. University of Notre Dame Press.
10. Zimmerman, S. (2011). Romance Literature and Courtly Values. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.