Epic Heroes and Excessive Emotions: Démesure in The Song of Roland and Raoul of Cambrai

Abstract:The Song of Roland and Raoul of Cambrai, at first glance, present two different portrayals of knighthood. However, both title characters, Roland and Raoul, exhibit the same excessive pride. Their pride surpasses reason so blatantly that it transforms into vainglory and anger, respectively. More than emotions, these two traits are also categorized as deadly sins. Each knight is motivated by his pride to protect his reputation and irrationally insists on going to battle. Roland's and Raoul's recklessness, or démesure, warns readers of the dangerous effects of excessive pride. Despite this emotional and sinful sameness, however, the heroes' ideological treatment by the texts and their audiences are quite different. Roland is revered and deemed an inspiration while Raoul is condemned and labeled an antihero. Therefore, the texts disseminate contradictory messages by excusing Roland's pride and condemning Raoul's. This article shows the progression and evolution of the knights' emotions and points to the reasoning for their differentiation. That is, in order for institutions (e.g., the Church/Frankish monarchy) to sustain themselves, literature must promote characters who support institutions while making a negative example of those who rebel against the same systems. Roland and Raoul represent both instances of this literary interpellation and participate in the perpetuation of institutional power.