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The Song of Roland Trivia Quiz

The 'Song of Roland' is the oldest surviving of the Chansons de Gestes (Songs of Deeds) that were written in medieval France. This quiz covers some of the basics regarding this great epic work...please enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
78,529

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
573

Last 3 plays: Guest 216 (9/10), Dagny1 (10/10), Guest 103 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The 'Song of Roland' takes place during the time of Charles the Great's (Charlemagne) reign over Frankish territory. Who were the adversaries of the Franks in this poem? Hint

Berbers

Philistines

Saracens

Basques

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Question 2 of 10

2. The hero of the 'Song of Roland' is characterized as a Frankish lord and a member of Charlemagne's family. How was Roland related to the king in this epic story? Hint

Brother

Nephew

Cousin

Uncle

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Question 3 of 10

3. The authorship of the 'Song of Roland', is anonymous, but the approximate dates are known. About when was this epic work written? Hint

1100

900

1200

1500

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Question 4 of 10

4. In this epic poem, Charlemagne is after the last Moslem stronghold in Spain, the city of Saragossa. Which king rules over this Islamic citadel? Hint

Marganice

Blancandrin

Marsile

Aelroth

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which fellow is the villain of the poem, and the direct adversary of Roland? Hint

Pinabel

Ganelon

Thierry

Aude

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Question 6 of 10

6. During the great battle scene, Roland is encouraged three times to blow his great horn, summoning Charlemagne's army. What was this horn called? Hint

Precieuse

Durandel

Oliphant

Joyeuse

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who is Roland's best friend in this epic work? Hint

Naimes

Oliver

Oton

Gerard

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is Charlemagne's battle cry in the 'Song of Roland'? Hint

Monjoie!

Maison, Maison!

Scilt ende Vrient!

Diex aye!

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Near the end of this epic work, Charlemagne confronts his own nemesis, the Emir of Babylon. Who is the magnificent Islamic lord that faces Charlemagne in single combat? Hint

Falsaron

Escremiz

Malprimis

Baligant

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which three letters appear at the end of many of the stanzas in the poem? Hint

PDY

SEZ

LEF

AOI

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 20 2024 : Guest 216: 9/10
Nov 18 2024 : Dagny1: 10/10
Nov 16 2024 : Guest 103: 7/10
Oct 17 2024 : Guest 175: 6/10
Oct 03 2024 : Guest 47: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The 'Song of Roland' takes place during the time of Charles the Great's (Charlemagne) reign over Frankish territory. Who were the adversaries of the Franks in this poem?

Answer: Saracens

In the poem, the battle is against the Saracens. In actuality, this poem was based on a confrontation between the Franks and the Basques that occurred in 778. In that year, a portion of Charlemagne's army fought a battle to the death at the pass at Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees mountains. All members of this rearguard of Charlemagne's grand army were killed by the Basque fighters.

2. The hero of the 'Song of Roland' is characterized as a Frankish lord and a member of Charlemagne's family. How was Roland related to the king in this epic story?

Answer: Nephew

Charlemagne's biographer Einhard describes the historical figure Roland as being the 'Lord of the Breton March.' No actual familial relationship is implied.

3. The authorship of the 'Song of Roland', is anonymous, but the approximate dates are known. About when was this epic work written?

Answer: 1100

We do know that the 'Song of Roland' was written by a Frenchman from the north. It is likely that the poem was commissioned as a sort of propaganda piece, as the commencement of the First Crusade was soon to come, hence why the Basques were replaced by Muslims in the work.

4. In this epic poem, Charlemagne is after the last Moslem stronghold in Spain, the city of Saragossa. Which king rules over this Islamic citadel?

Answer: Marsile

King Marsile rules Saragossa with his Queen Bramimonde (who, at the end of the poem, converts to Christianity of her own free will). Marsile is a shifty character, agreeing to become Charlemagne's vassal but hatching a plot to double-cross the Frankish king once he has agreed to leave Spain.

5. Which fellow is the villain of the poem, and the direct adversary of Roland?

Answer: Ganelon

Ganelon is Roland's fiercely jealous step-father. When Charlemagne asks for a volunteer to negotiate with Marsile, Ganelon is nominated by Roland. Of course, Ganelon believes that Roland means to be rid of his step-father, and manipulates the situation so that, following negotiations, Roland will be at the head of the rearguard force that will protect the Frankish armies retreat from Spain. Ganelon escapes involvement in the ensuing melee but is eventually tried for treason and executed.

6. During the great battle scene, Roland is encouraged three times to blow his great horn, summoning Charlemagne's army. What was this horn called?

Answer: Oliphant

There is no mistake that 'Oliphant' sounds like 'elephant', the horn is made from an elephant's tusk. Roland exhibits too much pride in not blowing the horn given his three opportunities, and only near death does he finally decide to sound the Oliphant, bringing Charlemagne's army back from their retreat. Roland dies after sounding the horn! By the way, the other three choices are all swords. Durandel is Roland's sword, Joyeuse belongs to Charlemagne and Baligant wields Precieuse.

7. Who is Roland's best friend in this epic work?

Answer: Oliver

Oliver is Roland's closest pal, and the one who urges Roland to blow the Oliphant. Unfortunately, Roland does not listen to Oliver's wise councel, and they both pay with their lives.

8. What is Charlemagne's battle cry in the 'Song of Roland'?

Answer: Monjoie!

This battle cry refers to the name of Charlemagne's sword Joyeuse, or so the poet tells us.

9. Near the end of this epic work, Charlemagne confronts his own nemesis, the Emir of Babylon. Who is the magnificent Islamic lord that faces Charlemagne in single combat?

Answer: Baligant

Baligant, like Charlemagne, believes his religion to be the one true faith, and is willing to fight to the end for his beliefs. Baligant is slain by Charlemagne during their one-on-one battle. At the end of the poem, Charlemagne is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that the battle against the Muslims has only begun...in other words, the Crusades are promoted. What an extraordinary way to advertise!

10. Which three letters appear at the end of many of the stanzas in the poem?

Answer: AOI

The meaning of these letters is not clear to scholars, but it is believes that they signify points at which the reciter utters some sort of arousing exclamation in order to excite the listeners' attention. Something has to keep the crowd awake during the slow parts, it is an epic after all...

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor MotherGoose before going online.
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