LE CID

:''This article is about the Pierre Corneille play. For the Jules Massenet opera based on the play, see Le Cid (opera).''
'''Le Cid''' is a tragicomedy written by Pierre Corneille and published in 1636. It is based on the legend of El Cid.
The play followed Corneille's first true tragedy, ''Medée'', produced in 1635. An enormous popular success, Corneille's ''Le Cid'' was the subject of a heated polemic over the norms of dramatic practice known as the ''Querelle du Cid''. Cardinal Richelieu's ''Académie Française'' acknowledged the play's success, but determined that it was defective, in part because it did not respect the classical unities.
Don Fernand - King of Castille

Dona Urraque - (Infante) Daughter of Don Fernand, in love with Don Rodrigue

Don Diegue - Father of Don Rodrigue

Don Gomes - Father of Chimene, General of Castille

Don Rodrigue - Chimene's lover

Don Sanche - In love with Chimene and fights Rodrigue

Chimene - Daughter of Don Gomes

Don Arias

Don Alonse

Leonor - Governess of Dona Urraque

Elvire - Governess of Chimene

The play focuses on Don Rodrigue and Chimène. Rodrigue is the young upstart general of mediaeval Spain, whereas Chimène's father is the successful current general, Comte Gormas and past his prime. Rodrigue and Chimène love each other, but any chance of marriage is brutally disturbed when Chimène's father insults Rodrigue's father, Don Diègue. Torn between his love for Chimène and his duty to avenge his father's honour, Rodrigue chooses the latter and faces the general in a duel in which Comte Gormas is killed. Without denying her love, Chimène asks the King for Rodrigue's head.
When the Moors attack, Rodrigue gets the chance to redeem himself in the eye of the nation, and, more importantly, gets a chance to win back Chimène with honour still satisfied. His victories on the battlefield win him the renown of the people, the title of "the Cid," and the gratitude of the King.
Chimène then approaches the King to request that one of his knights duel with Rodrigue for her sake, with the goal of bringing her Rodrigue's head. Although Chimène dislikes her champion, she agrees to marry whoever is the victor of the duel to the death. The King agrees to the duel unhappily (he does not want to risk losing Rodrigue).
Rodrigue speaks to Chimène privately, saying that he will not defend himself against what is symbolically "her" hand. She finally persuades him to do his best, because if he wins, they will marry.
After the duel, Chimène's champion, carrying a bloody sword, comes to where she is waiting. Chimène assumes the worst without giving him the chance to speak. Going before the king, she finally feels free to confess her love for Rodrigue because she believes him to be dead. The champion then explains that Rodrigue disarmed him (the champion) and granted him mercy. After the duel, Rodrigue returned straight to the king, leaving the champion to bring Rodrigue's sword to Chimène.
Although they love each other, Chimène and Rodrigue are reluctant to marry because of their history, but the king says that although it seemed impossible at first, circumstances have proven that they were meant to be together. Still, he realizes they need time to adapt. Chimène will set the date for the wedding, up to a year in advance. Meanwhile, Rodrigue, known as the Cid, will conduct a war against the Moors in their own territory.
The play is the basis for the opera ''Le Cid'' by Jules Massenet.

Contents

See also

External links

See also

★ Las Mocedades de Rodrigo

External links

★ The Cid, an 1896 English translation at Project Gutenberg

★ Plot overview (in French)