Ganelon's betrayal of Roland is the driving force behind the whole tragedy from the moment Ganelon first starts thinking of getting even with Roland after being named envoy to Ganelon's trial and bloody execution.
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.
Questions About Betrayal
- Does Ganelon always tell lies? Does he ever tell the truth or say what he genuinely thinks? How can you tell?
- What are the motivations behind Blancandrin's deception versus Ganelon's deception? Is one more defensible than the other?
- Did Ganelon just want to destroy Roland or were his plans bigger? What if Charlemagne had been in the rearguard? Would he have sent Marsile's army to destroy him too?
- If Ganelon publicly swore revenge on Roland, why was Roland so convinced that his stepfather wasn't to blame?
Chew on This
Blancandrin and Ganelon are both deceivers, but their different motivations make Blancandrin a cunning patriot and Ganelon a despicable traitor.
Despite abundant evidence, Roland refuses to accept Ganelon's treachery because he is single-mindedly focused on maximizing his own honor and his duty to Charlemagne and to God.