View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2, Don Gomes is motivated by which emotion?

2. In Act 3, Scene 4, Chimene tells Don Rodrigue she never finds comfort in him again for what reason?

3. In Act 2, Scene 5, the Infanta believes which character wins the duel?

4. In the opinion of the King, who dishonors the King's judgment?

5. What is the relationship between Don Diegue and Don Gomes?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act 2, Scene 1, what is Don Gomes' attitude, regarding the King?

2. Why is it ironic that Don Gomes admires Don Rodrigue's sense of honor?

3. The Infanta, in her soliloquy, says that love outlasts and transcends hate. This goes against the logic of most characters throughout the play, who act more out of hate (in the name of honor) than out of love. How does this soliloquy reinforce the main theme of the play?

4. What does the sword represent, both in Act 1, Scene 5 and in Act 2, Scene 2?

5. Why does the Infanta encourage a relationship between Chimene and Don Rodrigue, even though she is in love with him?

6. In Act 2, Scene 3, what is the Infanta's advice to Chimene? Is this advice inspired by her sense of honor?

7. Compare and contrast the main conversational threads in Act 1, Scene 1 and Act 1, Scene 2.

8. In Act 3, Scene 4, Chimene and Don Rodrigue both say that, without honor, they are not worthy of each other's love. However, if they each act as honor dictates, they must be enemies. How does a duel between Don Rodrigue and Don Sanche resolve this problem?

9. What is the final outcome of the play, regarding the future of Don Rodrigue and Chimene, along with the Infanta? How does this ending reinforce the main theme of the play?

10. In Act 2, Scene 7, when the King learns of the death of Don Gomes, he says that justice is served. Why does he say this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Le Cid", the sword represents the violent pursuit of honor. Don Rodrigue uses the sword to defend his father's honor, then later he honorably offers it to Chimene to uphold her father's honor. The same sword, defending honor every time, can be used at cross purposes. This shows that honor isn't an absolute, but rather is relative to every person's individual perspective. What, in your opinion, is the playwright's view of honor?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the soliloquies in "Le Cid". Why are two of the soliloquies written in rhyming verse, as opposed to all other dialogue in the play? What is the effect of the rhyme on the audience? How do the soliloquies increase your knowledge of a character or advance the action?

Essay Topic 3

List at least three examples in "Le Cid", in which a character chooses honor over love. Can you list at least three examples in "Le Cid" in which a character disregards honor in favor of some other principle, such as love or morality? Which decisions lead to the most desirable outcomes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,153 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample