The Pilgrimage of Charlemagne: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Pilgrimage of Charlemagne" explores the legendary journey of Charlemagne, the King of the Franks and Emperor of the West, as he embarks on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This quest is ignited by a comment from his wife, who suggests that Hugo, the Emperor of Greece, is more handsome than Charlemagne. Accompanied by his loyal companions known as the Twelve Peers—including notable figures such as Roland, Olivier, and Turpin—Charlemagne receives sacred relics in Jerusalem before traveling to Constantinople. The narrative intensifies when Charlemagne and his peers are challenged by Hugo to validate their boasts of superiority. In a dramatic turn, they are supported by an angel in their efforts to prove their worth, ultimately leading to their victorious return to France. The story not only highlights themes of honor and rivalry but also emphasizes the folly of pride, as the angel warns the group against boasting. This tale underscores the complexities of leadership, camaraderie, and divine intervention in the face of conflict.
The Pilgrimage of Charlemagne: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Unknown
Genre: Poetry
Locale: Paris, Jerusalem, and Constantinople
Plot: Folklore
Time: c. 800
Charlemagne (shahr-leh-MAHN-yeh), the king of the Franks and emperor of the West. When his wife declares that Hugo, the emperor of Greece, is the more handsome of the two kings, Charlemagne angrily sets forth, with his Twelve Peers, on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After the pilgrims sit in the chairs of Christ and His apostles in the great cathedral in Jerusalem and receive many relics from the Patriarch, they depart for Constantinople and are received as guests by the magnificent Hugo. In the bedchamber, the Franks drink their wine and each makes a boast concerning his host. When Charlemagne is challenged to prove the boasts true or be beheaded with his peers, he and his men, assisted by an angel, overcome Hugo and return to France, where Charlemagne forgives his wife for her unfortunate comparison.
Hugo (ew-GOH), the emperor of Greece and Constantinople.
Roland (roh-LAHN), Olivier (oh-lee-VYAY), William of Orange, Naimes (nehm), Ogier of Denmark (oh-ZHYAY), Gerin (geh-RAN), Berenger (beh-rehn-ZHAY), Turpin the Archbishop (tewr-PAN), Ernaut (ehr-NOH), Aymer (eh-MAY), Bernard of Brusban (behr-NAHR, brews-BAHN), and Bertram (behr-TRAHM), Charlemagne's Twelve Peers, who boast of the ways each will overcome King Hugo. When confronted with the demand that they prove their boasts or lose their heads, they are aided by prayer and an angel, who warns them never to boast in such a way again.