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| Character | Infanta | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | In love, Depressed, Lamenting, Complaining, Frustrated | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Year | 1637 | |
| Period | 17th Century | |
| Genre | Romance, Drama, Comedy, War | |
| Description | Infanta talks about how she wants to get over her impossible love for Don Rodrigue | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 2 | |
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.
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.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| INFANTA: Do I remember whose daughter I am? Of course. I remember it so well, that I would shed my blood rather than degrade my rank. I might assuredly answer to thee, that, in noble souls, worth alone ought to arouse passions; and, if my love sought to excuse itself, a thousand famous examples might sanction it. But I will not follow these--where my honor is concerned, the captivation of my feelings does not abate my courage, and I say to myself always, that, being the daughter of a king, all other than a monarch is unworthy of me. When I saw that my heart could not protect itself, I myself gave away that which I did not dare to take; and I put, in place of myself, Chimène in its fetters, and I kindled their passions in order to extinguish my own. Be then no longer surprised if my troubled soul with impatience awaits their bridal; thou seest that my happiness this day depends on it. If love lives by hope, it perishes with it; it is a fire which becomes extinguished for want of fuel; and, in spite of the severity of my sad lot, if Chimène ever has Rodrigo for a husband, my hope is dead and my spirit is healed. Meanwhile, I endure an incredible torture; even up to this bridal, Rodrigo is dear to me; I strive to lose him, and I lose him with regret, and hence my secret anxiety derives its origin. I see with sorrow that love compels me to utter sighs for that which I must disdain. I feel my spirit divided into two portions; if my courage is high, my heart is inflamed. This bridal is fatal to me, I fear it, and I desire it; I dare not hope from it only an incomplete joy; my honor and my love have for me such attractions, that I die whether it be accomplished, or whether it be not accomplished. |
