"Song of My Side" is a monument of Spanish literature, an epic, composed by an unknown singer-huglar. The main character of the work is a Spanish knight named Sid, who devoted his life to the liberation of Spain from the rule of the Moors.
The Song of My Side”was written in the 12th century by an unknown huglar (as wandering poets were called in medieval Spain). A single copy, recorded in 1207, has survived to our time. The first chapter of the epic has not survived, only a short prose retelling is known.
The plot of "Songs of Side"
As is typical of the medieval epic, "The Song of Side" tells about the adventures and exploits of a national hero, an idealized representative of chivalry. In the first part of the epic, Sid, a Spanish nobleman-knight, is falsely accused of falling into disgrace with the king. He expels him from his native Castile, separates him from his wife and daughters. However, Sid does not forget about his duty as the king's vassal and protector of Spain. He continues to fight the Moors, dreaming only of liberating the Motherland.
In the second part, Sid regains the trust of the king. He not only successfully fights against the Moors, but also gives part of the booty to the king. The king, who again believed in the loyalty of Sid, allows him and his family to settle in Valencia. As a sign of affection, the king marries the daughters of Sid to the noble infants. Sid does not like his daughters' suitors, but he cannot even think of going against the will of the king.
In the third part, the focus of the narrative shifts from the hero's struggle against the conquerors to the confrontation with his unworthy sons-in-law. Noble Infants turn out to be cowardly and ignoble people. When the lion escaped from the cage, everyone rushed to protect their master Sid, and his sons-in-law hid. They were publicly ridiculed for their cowardice. To avenge their humiliation, the Infants beat up Sid's daughters, their wives. Sid decides to obtain punishment in a legal way: he is seeking the appointment of a judicial duel from the king. In the duel, Sid's sons-in-law are defeated. Justice triumphs, and the folk hero achieves well-deserved wealth and honors.
The historical basis of "Song of the Side"
At the time of the creation of the epic in Spain, the Reconquista had been going on for several centuries - the conquest by Christians of the lands occupied by the Moors in the middle of the VIII century. The Reconquista lasted until 1492. The liberation of the Iberian Peninsula was hampered not only by the forces of the invading Moors, but also by the feudal disunity of the Spanish nobility. In the XII century, when the epic was written, there was a need for the image of a hero who embodies the strength and spirit of Spain. The main goal of this hero should not be enrichment, but serving the cause of the Reconquista, the liberation of the Motherland from the invaders.
The prototype of the protagonist was Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, the hero of the Reconquista, who lived in the 11th century. For his bravery, he was nicknamed Campeodore (fighter, warrior). He was also called Sid, which translates from Arabic as "lord".
The historical Sid was indeed a great commander who won many victories over the Moors. The writer of the epic truly reflected his military prowess, but somewhat exaggerated his nobility and loyalty. Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, while in disgrace, served as a mercenary for both Christians and Moors. He was not a selfless servant of his country, he was also concerned about personal enrichment. In the epic, the image of Sid is idealized.
In general, "Song of the Side" is distinguished by a high degree of reliability and closeness to the historical truth.
