The Cid is a play written by Pierre Corneille represented for the first time in 1637. Pierre Corneille is inspired by the character of Cid which really existed in the Spanish Middle Ages. Corneille tried to respect the three-unit rule that was in effect at the time. So the three unit rule is a rule that plays had to respect in France. The three units to be respected were: The first unit is the unit of action. It means that in the play, there must be only one plot, you do not need a secondary history or anything. The second unit is the unit of time It means that the story must unfold over a period of one day maximum. And the third is the unity of place. This means that the story must always be in the same place. Now, here is the summary and you'll see that Corneille has a little cheat. The first act Scene 1 Everything starts in Seville, there is Elvira and Chimene Elvira, who is the housekeeper, has just had an interview with Chimene's father. "Then what did he tell you, father? "He wants you to marry Rodrigue. Very good ! But I hope there will not be too much trouble. The second scene Meanwhile. We have the Infante and Leonor Then the Infant is the Infant of Castile, Doña Urraque, therefore the non-heiress daughter of the King of Castile. And Leonor, it's just his housekeeper. "Tell me Leonor, you who are just my housekeeper. Why do not you go get Chimène? -Well ok, I'm not just a minor character, rather ask this to the Page. Ah yes it is true. My page, go get Chimène please. This is how the Page goes in search of Chimène, what an important role is that of Page. Meanwhile, the two women discuss. "But tell me, why are you so interested in Chimene lately? "I'm in love with Rodrigue who loves Chimène! -Unbelievable ! But do not forget that you are the daughter of the King of Castile, you can not like a simple rider. -It's good Chimène is here ... -What the Page, you have already brought Chimène, we have been discussing for only a few minutes. Yes, that's the magic of the plays which must take place in one day only. Time unit, do not forget. The third scene Meanwhile, we have Count Don Gomes and Don Diego. Finally a discussion of man to man, a little virility that does not hurt. -So like that, you, Don Diègue, did you receive the post of governor by the king of Castile? -Well, are you jealous or what? -Ben it should have been me, because I'm more competent. -Well stop these bickering, let's not forget that our children are getting married. Because yes little precision, Don Gomes is the father of Chimene and Don Diego is the father of Rodrigue. Thus, in a surge of jealousy, Don Gomes decides to blow Don Diègue. Oulala as I would not love! Obviously, the two men will have to duel themselves. But do not forget that Don Diego, Rodrigue's father, is a little old to fight. It will be up to Rodrigue to fight in his place. The fourth scene Don Diègue is therefore alone to shout his tirade become cult: O rage! O despair! Etcetera etcetera, I will not tell you all, the first two sentences are the best known and suffice on their own. The fifth scene Don Diego will therefore warn his son he must make a duel. -Rodrigue, my son! I quarreled with Don Gomes, your lover's father. He put a blow on me. So you must revenge me! -I must kill the father of my future wife? -Yes exactly. I hope it's not going to affect your couple too much. -Papa anyway, you do not facilitate things. The sixth scene In this last scene of the first act, Rodrigue wonders what is the best thing to do and this in a very long tirade. -Oh no, but what should I do? It's a hell of a dilemma! Indeed, there is talk in this case of Cornelian dilemma with reference to Corneille, the author of the play in question. Cornelius dilemma is an impossible choice where in all cases there will be a problem. If Rodrigue kills Don Gomes, he kills the father of his future wife. And she will not like it too much. -What? You killed my father! I will never marry you! But if he does not kill Don Gomes, Rodrigue will pass for a coward. -What? You did not challenge my father? But you're a big wimp! I will never marry you! Hehe is hard life is not it? But let's go to Act II. The first scene Don Gomes, the father of Chimene I remind him, discusses with a friend, Don Arias. -Good, Don Gomes, I think it's a bit far away from this story. I think you should apologize and so we avoid the duel, because there really, you make a story of it. -What? I'm sorry? No, but you took me for a little wuss or what? I'm crazy, I take a duel anyone, no one will dirty my honor! -Finally what I mean, t was a little exaggerated to go that far ... The second scene This is how Don Gomes and Rodrigue meet. -Don Gomes, I came to provoke you to a duel! - Stop kid, I'll beat you it's obligatory. -Oh no, it's me who will beat you. -You talk, give up, it's me who will beat you. So they leave to fight. Obviously, the duel is off stage because we are in classical theater and in the classical theater action scenes are always played off stage. The third scene So we see Chimène who is sad with the Infante Urraque. -Oh that I am sad that our fathers have quarreled. -But do not worry my little Chimène, you'll see, you're going to marry Rodrigue and everything will get better. If you want I can use my charisma to try to ask your father to apologize and in the meantime, watch Rodrigue so that he does not go and kill him. Missed! The fourth scene The page arrives to announce the terrible news. -Hey but it's the Page! -Ben say so you play a lot in this play. -Something happened. Finally, they fought. The fifth scene This is how Leonor and Infante discuss a little later. Little reminder, Leonor is the governess of the Infante. -Oh Leonor, Rodrigue won the duel. -Ah yes it's true that you're in love with Rodrigue. The sixth scene Let's move on to the next scene where Don Fernand, Don Arias and Don Sanche talk to each other. Between man. Don Fernand is the king of Castile, quite simply. -Hello king, I am Don Arias, it was I who told Don Gomes to apologize but he refused. -I am Don Sanche, I'm here for a little support. -No, I am the king. -Good OK, I say nothing then. -We do not say Don Sanche but Don Sanche! What is this pronunciation? -Excuse me, but if you had read the Cid, you would know that in scene 1 of act 5, there is a rhyme with revenge ... -I do not care ! This case will destabilize my power. The Moors may attack us for this reason. -If I can afford, since we are in a classical play, the whole story takes place on a single day, I do not think that the Moors can already be informed ... -I'm saying I tell you! The seventh scene Don Alonse comes, while Don Arias leaves. -Hello King, I'm Don Alonse -Hello King, I'm Don Alonse It is Rodrigue the son of Don Diègue who killed him. "Well, it's a settled thing. -Chimène will come, she is sad. The eighth scene Chimène but also Don Diego come in their turn. Don Arias is coming back too. Oh, how sad I am that my father has been killed! "Yes, Rodrigue has killed your father. -I want revenge! Don Sanche avenge me! -Ben kill me then! I'm the boss, do not kill my son. -Well we'll see later then ... The Third act scene one Rodrigue arrives at Chimene, he breaks in and meets Elvira, the governess of Chimene. -What are you doing there Rodrigue? You are not ashamed to come to the one you killed. -But I come to see Chimene to judge me. -No but Chimene is coming back with the king, I invite you to leave. It's better. Well, Rodrigue is leaving. Scene 2 Chimène comes home with Don Sanche. -Good Chimene, you know that if you need an avenger, I am at your disposal. -I do not know yet… Maybe, if I have to call you, but otherwise. Scene 3 Chimene finds Elvire once Don Sanche left. -Rodrigue killed my father, how sad I am. But I still love it! -Are you going to chase him or not? -I do not know ... But I want to avenge my father. Well, Chimene is indecisive again. Scene 4 This is where Rodrigue arrives. -Chimene, I came with my sword still stained with your father's blood. -But it's disgusting, you want to console me with that? -No, use this sword to kill me once and for all! After a little discussion between the two, Chimène launches this replica which has become cult: -Go, I do not hate you. And he explains that if the King asks Rodrigue to be sentenced to death, she will let herself die too. - I pledge my faith Not to breathe a moment after you. Yeah that's it, she lets herself die what. Scene 5 Don Diego begins to be worried about his son. But luckily, he finally arrives. Scene 6 -Here I am ! -Ah my son, here you are! Congratulations for what you did. You have avenged me well. Your honor is safe! -Oh, that's great. After, as expected, at the level of my couple, it's a little dead. -Roh immediately to be pessimistic! Honor is more important than love, you know it. -Now, I especially want to die. -Ben wait, it's good, there are the Moors who are preparing to attack Spain. Why not go to battle? Like that if you die, you will have had a beautiful death. -Papa, you always know how to boost up morals, it's incredible ... Act IV Scene 1 We are after the war, Elvire and Chimène are talking to each other. -You saw Chimene? Rodrigue won the war. He managed to repel the Moors. -What? -Moors ! -The dead ? No. The Moors, the Arabs, what? -Ah ... But it's not Arabs, it's rather Berbers because the Arabization of the Maghreb will be mainly with the Hilaliens. -Yes, we understood. In any case, he is not even hurt. And the whole country is already aware. He misses more than he returns to see the king to warn him. -It was super fast say so. Because I specify that we are nevertheless in a classical play and therefore, the story can not last more than a day. -Yes yes, you worry, the rule of three units including the unit of time. The story began yesterday afternoon, he went to war during the night and now it's over, it's morning. It's not even 24 hours since the story started. -Ah yeah, well it's okay then. Scene 2 The Infant goes to see Chimène with Leonor as usual. -I came crying with you. -But it's more worth it, Rodrigue has become a national hero now. Ah. Scene 3 Rodrigue is invited to the king's house. -Hello Rodrigue and congratulations for this battle. Thanks to you, we managed to repel the Moors. -You're welcome. -Ah, in fact, starting today, we'll call you Cid. -The what ? The Cid. It means lord among the Moors. -Ah well, very well. At least that explains why this play is called Le Cid. Scene 4 But Don Alonse interrupts the King's speech to warn him of the arrival of Chimene. -I interrupt your speech to warn you of the arrival of Chimène. -Well, I'm leaving then. Scene 5 Ah Chimene I must tell you the sad news. Rodrigue is dead. -Oh no, I did not want him to die during the war. He did not deserve to die with so much honor. -Good in fact he is not dead. It was a joke to see your reaction. -Owl ! Now I want him to die but not gloriously. -Well, we'll have a duel, and whoever kills Rodrigue, you must marry him. -I do not mind doing the duel. -Very well Don Sanche, we have our man. But if not, Chimene, if Rodrigue wins the duel, you marry him. Well, we hurry anyway, must not forget that we are in a classical play, we do not have the right to make the story last more than 24 hours. So I suggest we do this duel in an hour or two. Act V Scene 1 So Rodrigue goes back to see Chimène at her place. "Are you still Rodrigue? -Yes, I'll come back to warn you that during the duel against Don Sanche ... ... I will let myself be killed. Because I am too sad. -No do not do that. I have everything but want to marry Don Sanche. Try to win anyway. -Okay. Scene 2 In this second scene of the last act, the Infanta complains about her life. -Oh that I am sad. Rodrigue is in love with Chimène. Chimène is in love with Rodrigue. And me, nobody loves me. In addition I am an infant, I will not even inherit my father ... Scene 3 Leonor, the governess of the Infante, comes to reassure her. -Yeah, finally, not too reassuring. It was just to say that there was no hope. If Rodrigue wins the duel, he marries Chimène and if he loses, he dies. So there you go, there will be no love story between you and Rodrigue. Scene 4 Meanwhile, even Chimene is unhappy. -Good ... Or Rodrigue wins and in this case, I have to marry the man who killed my father. Don Sanche wins and I have to marry the man who killed the man I love but who killed my father? Oh it's too hard in life ... Scene 5 And so Don Sanche arrives with the sword. -Hello Chimene, I bring back the sword. -What? You killed Rodrigue? Assassin! I loved Rodrigue! You rascal! -In fact, I meant ... -Assassin! Murderer ! Go away from there! Scene 6 Chimene is going to see the king to tell him that she does not want to marry Don Sanche. -My king ! I'm sorry but I really do not want to marry Don Sanche. -But Rodrigue is not dead! -Ah? -But no ! He defeated Sanche and left him alive. Scene 7 And finally, for the final scene. Rodrigue returns, everyone is there, in front of the king. -I come to offer my life, you can take revenge Chimène. -No, I'm going to marry you. But wait a year, so that I can mourn my father. He died just yesterday -And I come back from a war that I spent that night, it's true that I'm a bit confused again. Yes we understood, a lot has happened in the last 24 hours because of this rule of time unit. But here we go, everything is fine that ends well and see you in a year for your wedding