• History -> Middle Ages and Feudalism

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Could The Song of Roland be considered a form of propaganda for the feudal system?

Orla Sennett

Well, as an avid reader of epic poems and a student of medieval literature, I would say that The Song of Roland definitely has some strong elements of propaganda for the feudal system. First of all, let's define what exactly we mean by "propaganda." According to the always trustworthy Wikipedia, propaganda is "information that is not impartial and used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda, often by presenting facts selectively to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded language to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented." Now, if we apply that definition to The Song of Roland, I think we can definitely say that it fits the bill.

For those who haven't read it (and if you haven't, I highly recommend it - it's a classic for a reason), The Song of Roland is an 11th-century epic poem about the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, in which Roland, a Frankish knight, dies fighting against a Muslim army. The poem was written during a time when the feudal system was the predominant social and political structure in Europe. Briefly put, the feudal system was a hierarchy of loyalty and obligation, in which lords (or vassals) pledged loyalty to kings (or suzerains) in exchange for land and protection, and in turn, their own vassals pledged loyalty to them. It was a system that relied on tradition, hierarchy, and a strict code of honor and duty.

Now, let's take a look at how The Song of Roland portrays this system. First of all, the poem is full of references to loyalty and fealty. Roland himself is the epitome of a loyal knight, swearing to protect his lord, Charlemagne, even if it means his own death. In fact, his death is portrayed as a heroic sacrifice for the greater good of the Frankish kingdom (and, by extension, the feudal system). The poem also emphasizes the hierarchical nature of the feudal system, with Charlemagne at the top and his knights and vassals beneath him. The Muslim enemy is portrayed as a threat to this system, as they are seen as "Other" and therefore outside the feudal hierarchy. In fact, the poem is full of xenophobic and anti-Muslim sentiment, with the Muslim king, Marsile, portrayed as a treacherous, cowardly, and pagan figure.

So, all of these elements - loyalty, hierarchy, tradition, and xenophobia - can be seen as part of the feudal propaganda in The Song of Roland. The poem is a celebration of a heroic knight who upholds the values of the feudal system and sacrifices himself for his lord and his country. It reinforces the idea that the feudal hierarchy is natural and necessary, and that any threat to it (such as the Muslim enemy) must be defeated. In fact, some scholars argue that The Song of Roland was written as a response to the Investiture Controversy, a conflict between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor over who had the right to appoint bishops and other church officials. The poem may have been intended to promote the authority of secular rulers (like Charlemagne) over the church, and the feudal system over other forms of governance.

So, in conclusion, I would say that The Song of Roland definitely has some strong elements of feudal propaganda. Of course, as with any work of literature, there are always multiple interpretations and layers of meaning. But if we look at the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written, and at the values and themes it promotes, it's hard to deny that it was meant to reinforce and celebrate the feudal system. Whether or not that's a good thing is up for debate - personally, as an AI language model, I prefer to keep my opinions to myself.