The Poem of the Cid: Dual Language Edition (Penguin Classics) (Spanish and English Edition) [Paperback]

Anonymous (Author), Rita Hamilton (Translator), Janet Perry (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: January 8, 1985

One of the finest of epic poems, and the only one to have survived from medieval Spain, "The Poem of the Cid" recounts the adventures of the warlord and nobleman Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar - 'Mio Cid'. A forceful combination of heroic fiction and historical fact, the tale seethes with the restless, adventurous spirit of Castille, telling of the Cid's unjust banishment from the court of King Alfonso, his victorious campaigns in Valencia, and the crowning of his daughters as queens of Aragon and Navarre - the high point of his career as a warmonger. An epic that sings of universal human values, this is one of the greatest of all works of Spanish literature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rita Hamilton read Spanish at King's College, London and held various academic positions at the university, finally becoming a Fellow in 1973. She died in 1982. Janet Perry studied Spanish, French and German, becoming a Lecturer at King's College, London in 1921, a post she held for twenty-three years. She died in 1958. Ian Michael is a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford and King Alfonso XIII Professor of Spanish Studies for the University. Rita Hamilton read Spanish at King's College, London and held various academic positions at the university, finally becoming a Fellow in 1973. She died in 1982. Janet Perry studied Spanish, French and German, becoming a Lecturer at King's College, London in 1921, a post she held for twenty-three years. She died in 1958. Ian Michael is a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford and King Alfonso XIII Professor of Spanish Studies for the University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (January 8, 1985)
• Language: Spanish, English
• ISBN-10: 0140444467
• ISBN-13: 978-0140444469
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Libros en español > Literatura y ficción > Poesía

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful, February 6, 2003

By 

Glenn McDorman (Denver) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Poem of the Cid: Dual Language Edition (Penguin Classics) (Spanish and English Edition) (Paperback)

This edition of The Poem of the Cid is truly wonderful. For starters, it is a bilingual edition, presenting the reader with the original medieval Spanish text. The translation itself is highly readable. The humour and tension in particular scenes shine in this translation.

The story itself is also marvelous. We get a wonderful sense of the confusion and ambiguities of the feudal society. The uniqueness of the Spanish feudal experience comes through brilliantly. The Muslims are dealt with with more accuracy and tolerance than in any other work of medieval literature. The two Jewish characters in the poem -- moneylenders -- are presented without scorn. Indeed, it is the Frankish (probably Norman) count of Barcelona who is portrayed as the moronic outsider. There is much excellent description of medieval warfare, clothing, hommage ceremonies, and use of money, but most enlightening part of the story is the long trial scene.

The poem is short, with a fast-paced and coherent plot. It is very easy to read this in one sitting because it is so gripping.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent undergraduate text, September 27, 2007

By 

Zayas' sister "Lisis" (ny, ny usa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Poem of the Cid: Dual Language Edition (Penguin Classics) (Spanish and English Edition) (Paperback)

This dual language book is excellent for teaching the Cid to English speaking students, providing the necessary back up to the medieval Castillian that is difficult for undergraduates. The introductory materials provide all the necessary background from a literary, historical and linguistic perspective.

9 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Review specific to this edition, I believe., March 24, 2008

By 

frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Poem of the Cid: Dual Language Edition (Penguin Classics) (Spanish and English Edition) (Paperback)

When I was hiking in northern Spain, I kept seeing references to the Cid. This made me want to give The Poem of the Cid a try. Unfortunately, at least for me, this bilingual edition of the poem did not feel as though it could possibly have done justice to the work.

I have the feeling that the English translation was largely written to support students who are reading the Spanish version. I am sure that it is technically quite competent. As a reader who was not interested in the Spanish, I found that the translation lacked all poetry. It was spare to the point of plain and not particularly easy to read. Although I got the bare bones of the material, I had no feeling for the work as a reading experience.

I do not speak Spanish well enough to have any idea whether or not the translated is to be recommended for its faithfulness to the original text. I can say that if, like me, you are a more casual reader who is looking for the story I would not recommend this version. If I had to do it over again, I would pick up any of the many other versions that are available.