The_Poem_Of_The_Cid

The Poem Of The Cid The Poem of the Cid recounts the fictionalized adventures of Rodrigo Diaz, an eleventh-century Castillian who conquered much of Islamic Spain. Many of the events in the poem are historically accurate, but licenses have been taken by the poet, generally to allow more opportunities for the Cid to prove his valor and loyalty to King Alfonso. In fact, throughout the entire poem, the Cid is portrayed as an exemplary hero and vassal; he is also an ideal lord himself. The poet has created an ideal within the historical context of eleventh- or twelfth- century Spain. The Cid is exiled because his enemies have turned King Alfonso against him. This, according to custom, gives Rodrigo the right to earn a living for himself and his followers, to claim authority over whatever territory he conquers, and even to wage war against his former lord. Essentially, by exiling him, Alfonso has relieved him of his obligations as a vassal. These obligations revolve around fidelity, loyalty, and support. The Cid continues to act as a superbly successful vassal, sending Alfonso rich spoils from his conquered territories and humbling himself through his messengers. When restored to the king's favor, he defers to Alfonso's wishes, even cid, alfonso, cid's, king, vassals, vassal, lord, poem, level, honor, daughters, much, however, himself, been, should, rodrigo, rich, poet, even, because, battle, trial, spain, princes, often, married, loyalty, ideal, followers, fact, dishonored, conquered, alfonso's, time, return