HICKEY Western Civilization to 1650

Study questions on The Song of Roland

It would be a very good idea to read the introduction (pages 1-46) before you begin the poem.  Some of it might be hard to understand (the sections on literary form).  But plow through it, because it contains is a lot of useful information on the origins of the text, the meaning of terms, and the mechanics of warfare at the time of Charlemagne.  It will make the poem easier to understand.

Some terms in this poem that would have been very familiar to European elites in the Middle Ages might be strange to you.  Use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words.  Be patient!  You may need to read some passages twice.

HERE ARE THE STUDY QUESTIONS:

Based upon The Song of Roland:

• What does this text reveal about the social order in Early Medieval Europe?  Consider in particular the social hierarchy/social ranks and the division of society into "those who pray," "those who fight" and "those who work."
• What does the text reveal about the importance of honor to aristocratic elites in Early Medieval Europe?
• What does the text reveal about Christian attitudes towards Muslims during the Middle Ages? 
• What does the text suggest about Early Medieval European ideas about the proper duties and responsibilities of a Christian?