How did Ganelon betray Roland?

Although everyone in the Song of Roland seems out to get revenge, Ganelon is the only one who is a true traitor: by deceiving Charlemagne and arranging the massacre of the rearguard, he betrays his king, his family, and his religion.

What was Ganelon guilty of?

Stranges points out that Ganelon’s defense was correct ac- cording to feudal custom; he cannot be judged guilty of treason against Roland because he had formally challenged him in the défi, and therefore he had every right to exact his revenge.

What happens to Ganelon at the end of the poem?

What happens to Ganelon at the end of the poem? He is ripped apart by horses.

Who is Count Ganelon?

Ganelon. Ganelon is a well-respected Frankish baron and Roland’s stepfather. He resents his stepson’s boastfulness and great popularity among the Franks and success on the battlefield. When Roland nominates him as messenger to the Saracens, Ganelon is so deeply offended that he vows vengeance.

What happens ultimately to Ganelon as punishment in Roland?

Thus the Franks see that Ganelon is a traitor. For good measure, they decide to hang all thirty of Pinabel’s relatives too. Ganelon, however, needs a more painful death; each of his limbs is tied to a wild horse, and he is literally torn apart. The traitor goes to his damnation.

Why is Ganelon a villain?

Obsessed with his private wrongs, he sacrifices every loyalty and every principle to destroy Roland, no matter what the collateral damage (20,000 knights at Roncevaux, plus tons more in Charlemagne’s army). This makes Ganelon a totally different kind of villain than Marsile or the Emir.

Why did Ganelon betray Charlemagne?

When the barons announce their verdict to Charlemagne, he is deeply disappointed. Thierry then speaks up, arguing that, while Roland may have wronged Ganelon, Ganelon betrayed Charlemagne by attacking a man in Charlemagne’s service. Thus, says Thierry, Ganelon should die. Now Thierry and Pinabel must fight.

What did Ganelon do Roland?

During his trial, Ganelon claims that Roland tricked him out of money and when Roland nominated him for the dangerous mission to Spain, Ganelon seized the chance to destroy him (272). Whether you feel some pity for Ganelon or write him off as a complete villain depends on whether you accept this argument.

Why did Roland nominate Ganelon?

Because earlier messengers to Marsilla had been slaughtered, Ganelon considers Roland’s nomination of him as a messenger nearly the same as wishing him dead. But what truly enrages Ganelon is the suggestion that he is dispensable.