Some Kind of Hero
My Cid, as he is referred to throughout the text by the narrator, is not your everyday average hero. In fact, there are some elements of the superhero about him. He is endowed with some truly majestic acts of bravery and ability. Such as when his lion escapes:
“Then did My Cid arise, his mantle still about him, and approach the lion, and the lion cowered before him, resting his muzzle upon the floor. And My Cid seized him by the mane and thrust him back into his cage, as if leading him by a halter, to the great wonderment of those who saw it.”
One Very Happy Hour
A recurring bit of imagery—a very recurring bit of imagery—is used to situate the special quality of the Cid. In fact, one can well argue that the point is belabored. In fact, the point is belabored, arguably, to the extremities of absurdity:
“Thus My Cid, he who in a happy hour girded on his sword, seeing that no one would receive him, made his camp upon the sand, his goodly company about him.”
“My Cid’s companies wish to go forth and give battle, but he who in a happy hour was born forbids it.”
“When he who in a happy hour was born sees the King he commands that all save those knights he most dearly loves stay where they are”
Narrative Address
One use of imagery is the narrative address to the reader by the storyteller. This technique is an ideal fit for the use of imagery because it brings attention to the very fact that a story is being related. Not quite meta because that concept would not be invented for centuries, it does lend the poem a certain proto-postmodernist appeal:
“These two have won their victories, and now I will tell you of Muno Gustioz, how he fought with Asur Gonzalez. Heavy are the blows they take upon their shields. Asur Gonzalez is a valorous man and strong, and he strikes Muno Gustioz upon the shield and pierces it and the mail beneath, but wounds him not. Then in turn does Muno Gustioz strike the boss of the other’s shield. Asur cannot parry the thrust and it pierces mail and flesh, but touches not his heart."
Good Old-Fashioned Heroics
Fortunately, the Cid’s heroics is not all about taming lions. The imagery reveals that the Cid is a hero in the tried-and-true fashion that is still all the rage today in some quarters.
“My Cid spends three years in the lands of the Moors, seizing and sacking their cities. Those of Valencia learn caution and no longer dare sally forth to meet him. He fells their orchards and does them much hurt in each of these three years, cutting off their food. Those of Valencia are troubled and know not what to do, for nowhere can they find bread. Parents cannot help their children and friends have no comfort for friends.”
