The Song of Roland Author:Robert Harrison (Translator) Quite possibly the oldest and surely the greatest chanson de geste, The Song of Roland stands as one of the crowning achievements of medieval artistic genius. Dominating this heroic epic is Roland himself, the supreme embodiment of the chivalric ideal; but he is but one of the superbly defined figures in this panoramic drama. The poem's vivi... more »d set pieces - the treason of Ganelon; the last stand of Roland at Roncesvals; Charlemagne's campaign of vengeance; and the final act of retribution - are justly famous. Equally fascinating is the sophisticated use of repetition and juxtaposition that gives the works its remarkable organic unity and time-defying dimension of vision.« less