36 pages 1 hour read

Pierre Corneille

Le Cid

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1636

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Corneille called Le Cid a “tragicomedy.” In what sense is the play tragic? Is there anything comic in it? What might “tragicomedy” mean as applied here?

2.

Many important events, specifically the duels and battles, happen offstage. Is this a dramatic weakness, in your view? Why or why not?

3.

Different attitudes are shown toward dueling in the play. At various times a duel is considered a crime worthy of the death penalty or as a just way to settle a dispute. How do you think Corneille ultimately depicts dueling as a means to justice? Cite at least three examples from the text.