The Cid

Roles

• Infanta - Young Adult (20-35), Female

About this piece

Infanta talks about how she wants to get over her impossible love for Don Rodrigue

Summary

The Cid is set in medieval Spain and is about a love story between Don Rodrigue (El Cid), an heroic soldier and son of Don Diegue, and Chimene, daughter of Don Gomes. Their love is challenged by the fact that in the beginning of the play Don Rodrigue, to save his father's honor, is forced to kill Don Gomes in a duel. Throughout the play Chimene will seek revenge against El Cid for killing her father even if still in love with him. Eventually, when El Cid comes back to Spain victorious against the invading Moorish army, the king presses Chimere to forget the past and marry him. This monologue is right at the beginning of the play, ACT I, Scene 2. Infanta (Dona Urraque) is the king's daughter. She is also in love with Don Rodrigue but, being a princess, she can't marry him since he is below her social status. In this scene she is talking to her lady-in-waiting, Leonor. Infanta tells her that, knowing that she will never be able to marry the love of her life, Don Rodrigue, she encouraged the love between Chimere and him so that if they marry, her hopes will die and she will get over it.

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