Las Mocedades De Rodrigo: The Youthful Deeds of Rodrigo, the Cid

by Matthew Bailey

Overview

Perhaps the most famous Castilian in history, Rodrigo Diaz - also known as 'the Cid' - lived in the second half of the eleventh century, distinguishing himself during the conquest of the Muslim kingdom of Valencia. The epic poem Las Mocedades de Rodrigo (The Youthful Deeds of Rodrigo), is a fictional account of the young Rodrigo's passage from impetuous initiate to menacing force of nature, and, finally, to ally and servitor of his king. Written around 1300, the poem garnered a significant reputation in its native Spain and is still widely read today. Despite its popularity, an English translation has never been published.

This bilingual edition offers both the Old Spanish version of Las Mocedades as well as the first English translation of the epic poem. In his introduction, Matthew Bailey examines the text as a compilation of oral narratives passed down from speakers to scribes. Situating it fully within the tradition of Spanish epic poetry, Bailey goes on to review the poem's critical reception, explains the hybrid nature of the narrative, and looks at the origins of the hero himself. The translation includes explanatory notes to help the contemporary English-language reader understand the social and political circumstances surrounding the poem.

For those interested in the poetry of medieval Spain, the epic tradition, or for anyone looking for a good adventure story, Las Mocedades de Rodrigo will be essential reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442615953
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	04/02/2013
Series:	Medieval Academy Books , #110
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Matthew Bailey is a professor in the Department of Romance Languages at Washington and Lee University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Text

English Translation

Notes to the Text

Commentary

Comparative Table of Line Numbers

Editorial Reviews

Bailey's has done justice to the Mocedades, his edition opens new perspectives on the oral qualities of the poem and his translation will help non-Hispanomedievalists familiarize themselves with the poem.—Oscar Martin, Speculum, April 2009

From the Publisher

Bailey's has done justice to the Mocedades, his edition opens new perspectives on the oral qualities of the poem and his translation will help non-Hispanomedievalists familiarize themselves with the poem.

Oscar Martin