In the Song of Roland, the protagonist, Roland, faces his death as the final consequence of his vain and proud actions. At the beginning of the poem, Oliver pointed out Roland's consistent prideful behavior in the past. Roland then proves Oliver's point by fighting only with his own intentions in mind. Ultimately, Roland pays for his pride with the defeat of his army and his personal death. Therefore, Roland's actions throughout the poem, which are constantly done out of pride, lead to his imminent death. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Roland's close friend Oliver presents Roland's past behavior as proud. King Charlemagne asks for a volunteer to carry the message to Marsile, the Muslim emir, to which Roland replies: 'I am ready to go.'/ 'You certainly will not,' said Count Olivier,/ ' Your temperament is most hostile.' and fierce, / I fear you will pick a quarrel / If the king wishes, I am ready to go'” (254-258). In this section, Oliver explains to Roland how his temper would get him into trouble if the king sent him to Marsile. Roland's temperament prides itself on always finding a way to start a fight. Roland's desire to "pick a fight" is a result of him always believing he is right, thus showing his pride. Oliver warns his best friend about his temper, telling him that it could lead to a quarrel that would lead to a fight. If Roland's temperament is described as "hostile" and "fierce", it will not provide the stability an army needs to win a battle. In a way, Oliver not only gives insight into the past, stating that it is Roland's typical nature to be proud, but he also foreshadows Roland's death because of his prideful disposition. Oliver, a very close friend of Roland's, tells the story of Roland's behavior, saying that it would not be unlikely that he would cause trouble out of pride. Additionally, Roland himself shows this by causing trouble in battle by fighting for himself. The next point is that Roland fights with only his intentions in mind, without focusing on the bigger picture. Oliver suggests that Roland blow up the oliphant to signal Charlemagne to aid him in the battle against the overwhelming Muslim force approaching them. But then, “Roland replies: 'That would be madness; / Throughout the beautiful country of France I would lose my reputation / Immediately I will deal great blows to Durendal; / Until its golden hilt, the blade will flow with blood. / These treacherous pagans will regret the day they arrived at this pass. / I swear to you, they are all condemned to death'” (1053-1058). In this quote, Roland refuses to honk his horn because it would bring down his reputation in the eyes of all the Franks. He is so focused on his good reputation that he completely misses the scale of the Muslim army. Instead of focusing on the outcome of the battle, he focuses on making sure he looks good to others back home. He shows not the slightest consideration for the lives of his soldiers, thereby amplifying his own combat skills. His narrow view of the battle puts his men's lives on the line, ultimately leading to devastating consequences. Roland's prideful actions lead to his imminent downfall in battle. As the tide turns on the battlefield and the Franks begin to lose men left and right, Oliver gives his honest opinion on Roland's decision not to blow up the oliphant. “For the act of a true vassal, in his wisdom, avoids folly; / Better to be cautious than..