The Poem of the Cid: A Literary Analysis
The Poem of the Cid
Short Summary
This literary work is based on the banishment of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a historical figure. The poem is divided into three parts:
The Song of Exile
King Alfonso VI of Castile banishes El Cid, forcing him to leave his land. After passing through Burgos, he leaves his wife, Ximena, and his daughters at the monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña before marching to Moorish lands. Through various escapades, he gains wealth and distributes it among his men, also sending a portion to Alfonso VI to seek his forgiveness.
The Song of the Wedding
El Cid conquers Valencia and sends gifts to King Alfonso VI, beginning the reconciliation process. The King allows El Cid’s family to join him in Valencia and arranges the marriage of his daughters to the heirs of Carrión. El Cid is suspicious of this marriage, but Alfonso VI insists.
The Song of the Shame of Corpes
This section reveals the cowardice and greed of the Carrión heirs. Incidents such as the lion episode and their cowardice in battle expose their true nature. To avoid mockery, they leave Valencia under the pretense of visiting their lands. Seeking revenge on El Cid, they assault and abandon his daughters in a forest. El Cid demands justice from the King, who summons a court in Toledo. The Carrión heirs are condemned to trial by combat against El Cid’s men. The story concludes with the announcement of the marriage of El Cid’s daughters to the princes of Navarra and Aragon.
Consequences and Legacy
The Poem of the Cid has inspired numerous works:
- Guillén de Castro’s play Las Mocedades del Cid
- Works by Tirso de Molina and Lope de Vega
- Corneille’s French adaptation Le Cid
- Massenet’s opera
- Zorrilla’s Legend of the Cid
- Eduardo Marquina’s The Daughters of the Cid
- The film El Cid starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren
Opinion and Appraisal
The descriptions of both places and characters are well-executed throughout the story. The contrast between medieval society and the present is striking, particularly regarding warfare and territorial disputes. It’s remarkable how people risked their lives for land and wealth. This book is interesting and instructive, but the language and ideas of the 11th century make it challenging to read and understand.