Assignment
Factual reading questions
1. The "poem continuously defines things and persons" from what? 1330
2. Judging from the dialect of the poem, who, probably, comprised the original audience? 1331
3. The earliest surviving manuscript "dates to" about when? 1331
4. T/F: All earlier forms of the poem were likely sung or recited. 1331
5. Here "we see one of the first manifestations or what? 1331
6. In what year was Charlemagne's rearguard actually attacked (the basis of this story)? 1331
7. What is "the shared theme" of the parallel plots in this story? 1332
8. To what does Roland's death spur Charlemagne? 1332
9. At the beginning of the poem, how long has Charles been in Spain? 1334
10. For what does Blancandrin offer his son? 1335
11. What does Marsilion tell his ambassadors to tell Charlemagne he promises to do? 1336
12. What color is Charlemagne's hair? 1336
13. After rising early in the morning, what is the next thing Charlemagne does? 1338
14. What happened to the last two counts sent by Charlemagne to Marsilion? 1339
15. Why does Oliver say Roland should not be sent as an ambassador? 1340
16. Who is Baldewin? 1341
17. What happens to the Emperor's glove? 1342
18. What do Ganelon and Blancandrin pledge to each other? 1343
19. How much of Spain does Ganelon say Charlemagne offers to Marsilion? 1344
20. From what Ganelon tells Marsilion, who will get the other half of Spain? 1345
21. How old does Marsilion believe Charlemagne to be? 1346
22. Because of whom, according to Ganelon, will Charlemagne never lose heart for war? 1347
23. How many pagans does Ganelon say Marsilion should send against Roland's forces of twenty thousand Franks? 1348
24. How much gold does Marsilion say he will send to Ganelon each year? 1349
25. How many hostages has Ganelon brought back with him? 1350
26. In Charlemagne's dream, what animal fights off the boar and leopard? 1351
27. T/F: Roland thanks Ganelon for suggesting he command the rear guard. 1352
28. What does Marsilion give his nephew as a sign? 1355
29. T/F: Roland prays that God will find a way to avoid battle. 1355
30. T/F: Oliver and Roland agree that Ganelon is the traitor. 1356
31. What does Oliver ask Roland to do as soon as he sees the pagan army? 1357
32. What is "the Oliphant" 1357
33. Identify Durendal. 1357
34. The narrator says "Roland is good"; what is Oliver? 1358
35. According ding to Roland, what must a man be willing to give up for his lord? 1358
36. According to Turpin, what is their duty-i.e., "We know our duty." 1358
37. Turpin assures Roland's men. Where will they have seats if they die? 1358
38. Who will have to avenge them? 1359
39. What was "Charlemagne's war cry"? 1359-1360
40. Identify Veillantif. 1360
41. Who is the first man Roland kills? 1360
42. Who has eyes which are set a half-foot apart? 1360
43. What is "the second death"? 1361
44. When Oliver kills Malsarun, with how many others does he cast the body? 1362
45. Identify Halteclere. 1362
46. For what is "the worldwide grief' on this day? 1364
47. What is Roland's reference, "it cannot stay hidden"? 1365
48. What does the Archbishop assure them lies open to you"? 1365
49. Who is "black as melted pitch"? 1366
50. Although Turpin agrees that sounding the horn can't help them, why should "the King come"? 1369
51. How many leagues away does Roland's horn echo? 1369
52. What bursts when Roland blows his horn? 1369
53. What do the cooks do to Ganelon's beard and mustache? 1371
54. What's the name of Marsilion's horse? 1372
55. How are the noses and ears of the "black race" described? 1373
56. From which direction does Algalife strike Oliver? 1373
57. What does Oliver do, mistakenly, "when he came upon his comanion"? 1374-1375
58. Why does Roland faint? 1375
59. In one charge, Walter kills 6 pagans, Turpin 5, and Roland how many? 1376
60. With four spears in his body, what does Turpin say to Roland, how many? 1377
61. What baron miraculously recorded this great battle for church in Laon, since all who fought in the battle died? 1377
62. Why do the pagans decide to only "cast at him [Roland]? 1378
63. Whom does Roland find "in the field again"? 1379
64. As he dies, what is Turpin trying to fetch for Roland? 1380
65. What is "spilling out through his two ears"? 1381
66. With what does Roland kill the pagan who tries to steal his sword? 1381
67. To what lands does do Roland refer, "for Charles, who rules them now"? 1382
68. To what does Roland refer as "beautiful, and most sacred"? 1382
69. What does Roland hold out to God as he dies? 1383.