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Roland

Historical Figure
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Frankish hero who died at Roncevaux, immortalized in "The Song of Roland"

Detailed Definition
Roland’s last stand against Basques (later Saracens in legend) became the epic of feudal loyalty and Christian martyrdom. Poets invoke him as the paragon of knightly duty, the horn-blower whose death calls for vengeance, and the mythic foundation of French chivalry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Roland appears in the medieval epic “The Song of Roland” as the archetypal Christian knight who dies heroically at the Battle of Roncevaux; Poets use Roland’s horn, the olifant, as a symbol of desperate summons or unheeded warning; Roland’s unwavering loyalty to Charlemagne exemplifies feudal duty and tragic honor; Modern poets may reference Roland to critique blind obedience or the cost of pride in battle; His death is often used to explore the thin line between martyrdom and folly; Roland’s legend serves as a touchstone for themes of sacrifice, faith, and national myth.
Additional Notes
Roland, legendary knight of Charlemagne, died at Roncevaux Pass and is hero of “The Song of Roland”; in poetry, Roland embodies feudal loyalty, Christian martyrdom, and the tragic cost of pride—his horn (Olifant) is an iconic symbol of last resistance; essential for analyzing chansons de geste, medieval heroism, or the “Matter of France” in European poetic tradition.
Also Known As
Orlando (in Italian tradition) Orlando
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