Le Cid
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1637
- Form
- Tragedy
- Language
- French
- Length
- Short · 90 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendThe Cid, Cinna, The Theatrical Illusion, translated by John CairncrossPenguin Classics, 1975The verse translation most widely available in English.
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Rodrigue and Chimène are in love and about to be betrothed when Chimène's father insults Rodrigue's aged father. Rodrigue is bound by honour to challenge and kill the older man, which he does, and Chimène is bound to demand his death from the king, which she does even while loving him still. Rodrigue redeems himself by leading the defence of Seville against the Moors, who call him the Cid, and the king postpones the marriage for a year. The play's success provoked the quarrel of the Cid over the rules of drama.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Le Cid are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
