El Cid

Author:
Unknown
Historica
l
Backgroun
d
The Dark Ages and the Middle
Ages
• Dark Ages
The Western Rome Empire
became weakened by the ills
within it. So, the barbaric tribes
had the opportunity to summon
it. It was overran and the
heritage of Christianity, as well
as classical culture, was
threatened with destruction.
The Dark Ages and the Middle
Ages

• Middle Ages
– Followed the Dark Ages
– Extended from 5th century to
the 15th century
Famous Literary Pieces

1.Epics
2.Romance
3.Lyric Poetry
 Famous Literary Pieces
• Epics
Reflects the life and civilization of
a heroic age and reveal the influence
of Christianity.
• Romance
written either in prose/poetry
usually includes elements of
chivalry, courtly love, magic, and
religion.
• Lyric Poetry (Francois Villon)
struck a new note that was to
 AUTHOR
Nothing is known about
the author but it is
generally agreed that
he/she blended history,
legend and imagination.
Vocabulary Study:
• Moors
– People of mixed Berber and Arab blood,
inhabitaly Morocco and the Southern
Mediterranean Coast
• Vassal
– Who held land of a Superior lord by a
feudal texture; feudal tenant
• Soldier of Fortune
– A military adventurer, a soldier who serves
where fortune summons him
• Prestige
– Authority or importance based on past
achievements or reputation
• Heed
– To take notice of; pay attention to
Vocabulary Study:
• Vassalage
– The condition, duties, & obligations of a
vassal
• Noble
– Of, or pertaining to an aristocracy
• Jubilant
– Manifesting great joy; exultingly glad
• Repast
– Food taken at a meal; hence, a meal.
• Banishment
– To compel to leave a country by political
Characters
• Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) a.k.a.
El Campeador ( the Champion)
– Immortalized in the epic poem Cantor
del Mio Cid
• Martin Antolinez
– Loyal knight of Burgos
• Abbot Don Sancho
– Holy servant of God
• Dona Jimena
– Wife of El Cid
 Summary
• Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar was a famous
warrior in the 11th Century Spain,
whose exploits formed the subject
matter of the great Castilian epic the
Poem of the Cid.
• Known to the Moors as el Cid (lord),
he was exiled (1081) from Castile by
Alfonso VI because of the jealousy of
other nobles.
• Although he spent many years in the
service of other rulers, he always
remained loyal to his king.
 Summary
• In 1094, he seized the Muslim city of
Valencia and ruled it as lord until his
death on July 10, 1099, after which
his widow abandoned it to the Moors.
• The History of which his widow
abandoned it to the Moors.
• The History of Rodrigo is a
contemporary Latin prose account of
his deeds.
Moral
• Responsibility
• Exile
• Sacrifice
• Dedication to duty
• Religion
 Group 6
X-SLDM
• Kristine V.
• Angeline I.
• Emily S.
• Frances O.
• Rose Anne O.