In the epic The Song of Roland, you find yourself rooting for two main characters: Roland and Oliver. Both of these men are very brave and fought valiantly for their king (Charlemagne) and their people (the franks). However, while they shared numerous qualities, each possessed qualities that the other did not that shaped each of their characters throughout the entire epic. .
Roland was the most beloved and well respected generals for Charlemagne's army. Roland proceeds to have a fight to the death attitude for the franks enemy Marsilla. When the franks were fronted a truce by Marsilla, Roland quickly shunned any such act. He would rather die trying to kill the enemy then make amends with them. His courage and will to defend his people single handedly kept the franks in the battle even though all was eventually lost. When an army approached with his king in earshot of the battle horn, Roland refuses to sound in attempt to prove his loyalty and bravery. When all his men were dropping like fly's he was spearing and beheading Marsilla's army with out much resistance. He was a very smart and crafty fighter. He was probably the best fighter from either side, but in the end he died for his people and a cause he believed was just. His faith lied with his king Charlemagne and died with Charlemagne just as he desired to be taken from this Earth. His bravery, courage, will, faith, and loyalty were the reasons his men as well as his king respected him so much and put their fate in his hands.
Oliver, while he possessed the same loyalty and bravery as Roland, seemed afraid of death. He fought for his people valiantly but seemed nervous as the battle drew on. He was a good friend of Roland so he likewise was respected by his peers and king (though not to the extent of Roland). His faith and loyalty did not run as deep in his blood as it did Roland's. Oliver actually tried to prevent the defeat in the war by attempting to persuade Roland to blow his Oliphant horn to call the king's army back to their aid.
