Clase Cortest #8 spr25

Doña Ximena's Prayer (Verses 330-366)

• Context of the Prayer:

  • Located around verse 330 in the poem.

  • It is a brief prayer asking for protection for her husband, El Cid.

• Content of the Prayer:

  • Starts with a plea: "Ya, Señor, glorioso".

  • Acknowledges God as the glorious Father in Heaven.

  • Repeats the phrase "Fezisti" multiple times referring to God's creation of Heaven, Earth, and the sea.

  • Cites examples of divine intervention from biblical history:

    • The pastors who glorified the Lord.

    • The Magi who came to worship Jesus.

    • References to Daniel and lions, Saint Sebastian, and Santa Susana.

• Role of Santa Susana:

  • Question raised about her identity as a lesser-known saint, illustrating the reliance on localized saints during that era.

Language Observations

• Variations in Text:

  • Discussion on the variations of the word "salvest" (to save) with and without the final letter 'i'.

  • Language instability during the period leads to these variations, possibly due to the transcription process or intentional for rhyme.

Textual Analysis

• Epic Characteristics:

  • The text presents an epic scope, connecting the hero (El Cid) with the Christian doctrine and biblical references.

• Christian Instruction within the Epic:

  • The inclusion of biblical episodes serves as a method of Christian teaching for illiterate audiences.

  • The text becomes didactic, aiming to instill virtues like loyalty, devotion, and faith.

Teaching Mechanisms in Medieval Christianity

• Education of Doctrine:

  • Discussion of how doctrine was taught primarily through the family structure, especially through mothers.

  • The role of the church, priests, and the visual arts within cathedrals in imparting Christian values.

• Becoming Saints:

  • The practice of studying saints' lives, which was prevalent in medieval times, promoting role models for the faithful.

  • Example of Gonzalo de Berceo who wrote lives of saints.

Cultural Significance of Marriages in the Text

• Arranged Marriages Reflection:

  • The significance of arranged marriages during the era, often for political alliances rather than romantic love.

  • The marriages in the text serve to restore honor to the daughters of El Cid after their repudiation.

• Social Implications:

  • Marriages elevate El Cid's family status, connecting them closer to nobility and royalty.

• Legal Structures:

  • Questions on how annulments were handled at the time and the influence of church authorities.

Conclusion of the Story

• Final Resolution:

  • After battles, the daughters are married to noblemen, which rectifies their social standing and ties family to royal lineage.

  • Discussion of the unnamed daughters highlights the historical passing of time and memory.

  • The poetic narrative encodes historical events with both accuracy and embellishment, shaping a legacy of El Cid.