Le Cid both begins and ends with the King of Castile approving the marriage of Chimene to Don Rodrigue. Throughout the play, Chimene is the epicenter of the emotional action. She endures various emotional hardships that almost always leave her confused, angry, heartbroken, and terrified.
Many of the events that occur in Le Cid either involve or revolve around decisions made by Chimene. Chimene, rather easily, chooses Don Rodrigue over Don Sanche to be her lover in the first act of the play. Contrary to what we see of her behavior in later acts of the play, Chimene appears to remain calm, collected, focused, and genuine when she expresses her love for Rodrigue rather than Don Sanche. Her father, the Count, accepts his daughter’s choice and …show more content…
Although she believes Don Sanche has won, she expresses her true love for Rodrigue before the King. Chimene claimed that she would marry the man who won the battle, which she briefly believes is Sanche. The confusion and uncertainty of Chimene is once again evident when she proceeds to pour out her emotions and thoughts about Rodrigue, despite all he has done in the past. She also seems hopeful that he returns to her, which he indeed does, so that she can share her feelings with him. On the other hand, Chimene also enticed Rodrigue into battling Sanche in Act III Scene IV. In what seems to be a somewhat sarcastic tone, she claims that Rodrigue should be able to defeat Sanche if he can defeat her father. After realizing that Rodrigue is indeed still alive and won the battle, Chimene, once again, seems confused and nervous. Surprisingly, Chimene still expresses her love for Rodrigue. Despite this, she is hesitant and careful in making a decision on marriage between herself and Rodrigue. The King of Castile also assists Chimene in the decision making process by allowing her a year for healing before marriage. This decision resembles the rational decision made by Chimene to marry Rodrigue in the opening act of the play. These two instances occur before and after the intensity and pace of the play intensify, which could explain why Chimene could think logically and
Many of the events that occur in Le Cid either involve or revolve around decisions made by Chimene. Chimene, rather easily, chooses Don Rodrigue over Don Sanche to be her lover in the first act of the play. Contrary to what we see of her behavior in later acts of the play, Chimene appears to remain calm, collected, focused, and genuine when she expresses her love for Rodrigue rather than Don Sanche. Her father, the Count, accepts his daughter’s choice and …show more content…
Although she believes Don Sanche has won, she expresses her true love for Rodrigue before the King. Chimene claimed that she would marry the man who won the battle, which she briefly believes is Sanche. The confusion and uncertainty of Chimene is once again evident when she proceeds to pour out her emotions and thoughts about Rodrigue, despite all he has done in the past. She also seems hopeful that he returns to her, which he indeed does, so that she can share her feelings with him. On the other hand, Chimene also enticed Rodrigue into battling Sanche in Act III Scene IV. In what seems to be a somewhat sarcastic tone, she claims that Rodrigue should be able to defeat Sanche if he can defeat her father. After realizing that Rodrigue is indeed still alive and won the battle, Chimene, once again, seems confused and nervous. Surprisingly, Chimene still expresses her love for Rodrigue. Despite this, she is hesitant and careful in making a decision on marriage between herself and Rodrigue. The King of Castile also assists Chimene in the decision making process by allowing her a year for healing before marriage. This decision resembles the rational decision made by Chimene to marry Rodrigue in the opening act of the play. These two instances occur before and after the intensity and pace of the play intensify, which could explain why Chimene could think logically and