The Cid. After its premiere, Cardinal Richelieu asked the new Académie française to write a discussion of the merits of the play. Georges de Scudéry, another dramatist, wrote a critique of the play as well. He claimed Corneille was "deifying" himself. He intended to prove that the play's plot was worthless, abused the basic rules of dramatic poetry, pursues an erratic course, and all of the play's beauties are stolen. Jean Chapelain wrote the document for the Académie, which particularly criticizes the implausibility of Chimène's continued affection for Rodrigue after he kills her father. Her agreement to marry Rodrigue as the King commands made her an immoral character, Chapelain argued, which was a danger to the viewing public and their morals. He said implausible and immoral characters should not be featured in plays, even if they are based in history. Corneille ignored this and proved that plays did not need to be didactic, always showing evil being punished. Plot points must be necessary, the Académie argued, historical events such as this should not be dramatized. Too many actions occur in a 24-hour period, and Le Cid did not conform to unity of place. In response to these critiques, Corneille argued that his play evoked both pity and fear. The characters of Rodrigue and Chimène, he noted, have virtue, which is what leads to their passions, thereby causing the misfortune. He argued that multiple actions worked well for a play to have a strong beginning, middle, and end. There is only one complete action in the play, but it can evolve through several other incomplete actions. The play was set in only one city, which Corneille believed should be equivalent to unity of place. Characters Don Rodrigue (Le Cid) – Chimène's lover, son of Don Diègue. After fighting successfully against the Moors, the enemies name him "Le Cid," which is derived from the Arabic word for lord, sayyid. Chimène – Daughter of Don Gomès. She has a romance with Don Rodrigue but they become estranged when he kills her father in a duel. Don Gomès, The Count of Gormas – father of Chimène, general of Castile Don Diègue – Father of Don Rodrigue Doña Urraque, L'Infante – daughter of the king, in love with Don Rodrigue Don Fernand – King of Castile (historically, from 1035-1065) Don Sanche – In love with Chimène, fights Don Rodrigue Elvire – Chimène's governess Leonor –