El CidAuthor: Unknown

Historical Background

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.

• Romancewritten either in prose/poetryusually includes elements of chivalry,

courtly love, magic, and religion.• Lyric Poetry (Francois Villon)

struck a new note that was to become a dominant theme in Renaissance European Poetry

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 decree,

exile.

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 6X-SLDM• Kristine V.• Angeline I.• Emily S.• Frances O.• Rose Anne O.