Sections XXXIII-LIV
Ganelon delivers Charles's ultimatum; Marsile sends tributes; Ganelon advises attacking Roland in the mountain pass.
18 argumentative units
- 01Ganelon delivers Charlemagne's ultimatum to Marsile
Ganelon, speaking on behalf of Charlemagne, demands that King Marsile convert to Christianity and yield half of Spain as tribute, or face military conquest, forced imprisonment, trial, and execution.
- 02Marsile's violent but restrained reaction
Marsile attempts to strike Ganelon with a dart in anger, but his men prevent the confrontation and persuade him to hear Ganelon's full message.
- 03Ganelon demonstrates resolve and nobility
Ganelon partially draws his sword in defiance, declaring he will speak Charlemagne's message freely, and the pagans acknowledge his noble bearing.
- 04Ganelon clarifies the terms of submission
Ganelon elaborates that Charlemagne will give Marsile half of Spain as a fief, with Roland receiving the other half as co-ruler, or else Charles will besiege, conquer, and humiliate Marsile.
- 05Marsile reads the letter and acknowledges dire consequences
Marsile opens the sealed letter and recognizes that Charlemagne remembers his past crimes (the deaths of Basan and Basilye), and that failure to submit means facing Charles's wrath.
- 06Marsile's son objects to sparing Ganelon
Marsile's son argues that Ganelon spoke unjustly and should be executed for his insults, and Ganelon responds by drawing his sword in defense.
- 07Marsile convenes a private parliament with his chief advisors
Marsile withdraws to an orchard with his trusted men, including Blancandrin and the alcaliph, to discuss matters of treason with Ganelon.
- 08Marsile reconciles with Ganelon and offers gifts
Marsile apologizes for his earlier violence as a test, gifts Ganelon fine sables, and promises additional tribute for the next day.
- 09Marsile questions Ganelon about Charlemagne's age and endurance
Marsile inquires whether the elderly Charlemagne (reputedly 200 years old) will eventually retire from warfare, seeking to understand his opponent's vulnerability.
- 10Ganelon praises Charlemagne's martial virtue and valor
Ganelon acknowledges that Charlemagne is so old and experienced that no mortal can fully describe his greatness, and he is determined to fight until death.
- 11Marsile's second inquiry about Charlemagne's retirement
Marsile reiterates his question about when Charlemagne will cease warfare, expressing amazement at his age and long campaigns.
- 12Ganelon identifies Roland as the chief obstacle to Charles's retirement
Ganelon declares that Charlemagne will never retire from war as long as his nephew Roland lives, naming Roland and Oliver as his most formidable vassals along with the Twelve Peers.
- 13Marsile's third inquiry about Charlemagne's war-making
Marsile once more repeats his questions about Charlemagne's age and when he will cease warfare, eliciting another answer from Ganelon.
- 14Ganelon reiterates that Roland is essential to Charles's power
Ganelon repeats that Charlemagne will never withdraw from war while Roland lives, emphasizing Roland and Oliver's preeminence among his vassals and the loyalty of twenty thousand Franks.
- 15Marsile boasts of his military capacity
Marsile claims he can field four hundred thousand knights superior to any of Charles's warriors, testing Ganelon's assessment of Saracen strength.
- 16Ganelon advises Marsile against frontal assault and suggests bribery instead
Ganelon recommends that Marsile abandon direct military confrontation and instead send tribute to France to weaken Charlemagne's resolve while keeping him occupied.
- 17Marsile requests a specific strategy for eliminating Roland
Marsile directly asks Ganelon how to kill Roland, indicating his understanding that destroying Roland is key to defeating Charlemagne.
- 18Ganelon reveals his detailed plan to betray Roland at Rencesvals
Ganelon outlines a treacherous ambush strategy: Charlemagne will cross the pass of Sizé with Roland and Oliver commanding twenty thousand Franks in the rearguard, whom Marsile should attack with eighty thousand Saracens to destroy them, freeing Marsile from war forever.