Lecture Notes: The Cid by Pierre Corneille

Overview

• Title: The Cid
• Author: Pierre Corneille
• First Performance: 1637
• Inspired By: The real-life character of Cid from the Spanish Middle Ages
• Adherence to Three Unities
  • Unity of Action: Single plot
  • Unity of Time: Within one day
  • Unity of Place: Single location

Act I

Scene 1: Introduction

• Location: Seville
• Characters: Elvira (housekeeper), Chimène
• Plot: Chimène learns her father wants her to marry Rodrigue.

Scene 2: The Infante's Interest

• Characters: The Infante of Castile (Doña Urraque), Leonor (housekeeper)
• Plot: Infante is interested in Chimène because of her love for Rodrigue.

Scene 3: Conflict Between Fathers

• Characters: Count Don Gomes, Don Diego
• Plot: Don Diego is appointed governor, causing jealousy in Don Gomes.

Scene 4: Don Diègue's Soliloquy

• Plot: Don Diègue laments after being struck by Don Gomes.

Scene 5: Rodrigue's Dilemma

• Plot: Rodrigue is tasked to avenge his father's honor by dueling Don Gomes.

Scene 6: Cornelian Dilemma

• Plot: Rodrigue faces the dilemma of defending his father's honor versus his love for Chimène.

Act II

Scene 1-2: Duel Preparation

• Plot: Don Arias advises Don Gomes to apologize, but he refuses.
• Action: Rodrigue challenges Don Gomes to a duel.

Scene 3: Chimène's Sadness

• Characters: Chimène, Infante
• Plot: Chimène is distressed over her father's quarrel.

Scene 4: The Page's News

• Plot: Announcement that a duel has occurred.

Scene 5: Leonor and Infante

• Plot: Discussion on Rodrigue's victory.

Scene 6: The King and Advisers

• Characters: Don Fernand (King), Don Arias, Don Sanche
• Plot: Concern for potential Moorish attack.

Scene 7-8: Aftermath of Duel

• Plot: Chimène demands vengeance for her father's death.

Act III

Scene 1-2: Rodrigue's Visit

• Plot: Rodrigue seeks Chimène's judgment.

Scene 3-4: Chimène's Indecision

• Plot: Chimène struggles between love for Rodrigue and desire for vengeance.

Scene 5-6: Don Diego's Encouragement

• Plot: Don Diego urges Rodrigue towards battle as redemption.

Act IV

Scene 1: After the Battle

• Plot: Rodrigue becomes a hero after defeating the Moors.

Scene 2: Infante's Visit

• Plot: Congratulates Chimène on Rodrigue's heroism.

Scene 3: Rodrigue Honored

• Plot: Rodrigue is titled "The Cid" by the King.

Scene 4-5: Chimène's Reaction

• Plot: Chimène is tricked into thinking Rodrigue is dead.

Act V

Scene 1-2: Final Decisions

• Plot: Rodrigue returns; plans to face Don Sanche in a duel.

Scene 3-4: Infante's Lament

• Plot: The Infante feels unloved and without inheritance.

Scene 5-7: Resolution

• Plot: Rodrigue wins the duel; Chimène agrees to marry him after mourning her father.

Key Themes and Concepts

• Honor and Duty: Central to the conflict and resolution.
• Love vs. Duty: The Cornelian dilemma faced by Rodrigue and Chimène.
• Three Unities: Adherence shapes the play's structure and pacing.

Conclusion

• Ending: Resolution achieved within the constraints of classical French drama.
• Impact: The play's exploration of honor, love, and societal expectations.