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The Cid By Pierre Corneille

The Cid

By Pierre Corneille

  • Release Date: 2024-12-20
  • Genre: Theater
  • Free

Description

The play is about the love between Rodrigue and Chimène, but their relationship is complicated by the need to honor their families. Rodrigue kills Chimène's father in an act of vengeance, which leaves Chimène torn between her love for Rodrigue and her duty to avenge her father's death. Themes The play explores themes of love, honor, and duty. Historical context The play is based on the legend of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a Castilian knight and Spanish national hero known as El Cid. The title “El Cid” comes from the Arabic word for lord, sayyid. Reception Le Cid was a huge popular success, but it also sparked controversy. The Académie Française criticized the play for being dramatically implausible and morally defective, and Cardinal Richelieu used this as an excuse to suppress public performances. Considered Le Cid is considered one of the greatest plays of the 17th century and Corneille's finest work. It is regarded as the first classical tragedy of French theater.