When the apparently advantageous marriages between the Cid's daughters and the high-born Infantes de Carri6n have been contracted, the daughters thank their father, saying, "Since you have arranged these marriages, we are sure to be very rich." What is the place of women in the society described in the Cantor de mio Cid*! Compare the different women in the epic, including Ximena and her ladies in waiting. What is the traditional role of women in epics? How is the Cid different? Why do you think later interpretations of the legend of the Cid concentrated so intensely on Ximena as a heroine?

The Cid is well-known for its relativistic portrayal of Muslims and Christians, especially compared to the contemporary epic the Song of Roland, where "the Christians are right and the pagans are wrong," Research the intercultural relationships between Christians, Jews, and...