Song of Roland Lesson Plan

How does how Roland respond to Charlemagne's call to service? How does this mark him as different from Ganelon?

Roland is not any less displeased by Ganelon's decision to nominate him to the rearguard than Ganelon was by Roland's decision to nominate him as the ambassador to King Marsile's court. However, Roland's motivations in this scene are fundamentally different. Unlike Ganelon, who is reluctant to serve in Charlemagne's charge because fears for his life, Roland straightaway accepts the task set before him. Indeed, the only reason he becomes upset at all is because he thinks that Ganelon is trying to embarrass him:

"Oh! You dirty son of a bitch,

Did you expect me to...