The Cid is the titular protagonist, based on Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (circa 1043 AD—1099 AD). The narrative follows his journey from disgraced and exiled warrior to his acceptance back at court and the ascendance of his family into the Spanish nobility. His name, the Cid, is a Castilian version of the Arabic title sayyid, which means “master” or “lord.” Often called “the Warrior,” or affectionately, “my Cid” by the narrator, he is the undoubted champion of the epic. Often referred to as being “born at a lucky hour” (7), the Cid is depicted as a perfect knight, with the true spirit of noblesse oblige when the true nobility around him fail in that same capacity.

The Cid is primarily motivated by his desire to receive a pardon from King Alfonso for ambiguous offenses. He relies on his abilities as a warrior to win land and wealth that he can send to the king as a tribute. He is fearless on the battlefield and a flawless fighter, but his demeanor off the battlefield is just as important. The Cid often carefully considers situations before acting in dignity and fairness.