Edited and translated by John C. Lapp, this edition of Le Cid for performance and study includes an introduction, which interprets the contemporary political, social, and romantic themes that give this tragedy its complex, interwoven structure. Also included are a selected bibliography and a list of the principal dates in the life of Corneille. .

1606: Birth of Pierre Croneille, in Rouen, June 6 1622: Finishes studies at the Jesuit college of Rouen 1624: Receives law degree 1625-29: His first play, Melite, a comedy, staged in Paris 1632: Clitandre, tragicomedy 1633-34: Three comedies, La Veuve, La Galerie du Palais, and La Suivante. Medee, a tradegy 1636: L'Illusion comique, comedy, and Le Cid, tragicomedy, based on the play by Guillen de Castro, Las Mocedades del Cid. Richelieu grants him an annual pension of 1,500 livres 1637-38: "Quarrel of the Cid," various critics and the Academy itself publish criticisms, to which the author replies 1640: Horace and Cinna, tragedies. Marriage to Marie de Lamperiere 1641-43: Polyeucte, tragedy 1642-43: La Mort de Pompee, tragedy; le Menteur, comedy; la Suite du Menteur, comedy 1644: Rodogune, tragedy 1645: Theodore, vierge et martyre, tragedy 1647: Heraclius, tragedy 1650: Andromede, tragedy "with machines" (the use of stage machinery for spectacular effects, as in opera), Don Sanche d'Aragon, heroic comedy 1651: Nocomede, tragedy 1652: Pertharite tragedy whichfails. Corneille gives up writing drama for seven years 1659: Returns to the theatre with Odipe, tragedy 1661: La Toison d'Or, tragedy with machines 1662: Sertorius, tragedy 1663: Sophonisbe, tragedy 1664: Othon, tragedy 1666: Agesilas, tragedy 1667: Attila, tragedy 1670: Tite et Berenice, heroic comedy 1671: Psyche, tragic ballet, in collaboration with Moliere, Quinault, and Lully 1672: Pulcherie, heroic comedy 1684: Death of Corneille on October 1 st