Chimène is happy at the news her lady-in-waiting, Elvira, has brought her: Chimène’s father, the Count de Gormas, approves of her love for Don Rodrigo, a young warrior. Elvira explains that the King spoke highly of the noble lineage and courage of both Rodrigo and Chimène’s other suitor, Sancho, but that he considered Rodrigo the better choice: “my daughter, in one word, may love him and please me” (5). Even in the midst of this happy news, Chimène has doubts: “in this great happiness I fear a great reverse” (5).

The Infanta—the daughter of Don Fernando, the King of Castile—confides in her lady-in-waiting, Leonora, that she is also in love with Rodrigo. However, the Infanta acknowledges that because Rodrigo is beneath her station, her honor as the daughter of the King demands that she cannot marry him. In order to “extinguish” her passion for Rodrigo, she will see to it that Rodrigo is united with Chimène, who is also her good friend.

Alone, the Infanta prays that Chimène and Rodrigo may be married soon so that her suffering and inner conflict may come to an end.