Describe symbolism in Le Cid by Pierre Corneille

Diego's sword is the play's principle symbol, representing not only the spiritual violence done to Diego's honor but also the physical violence done later in the play to Gomez, as well as the emotional violence done to Chimene and Roderick. In all cases, this violence results from a self-important defense of honor by each character, and as a result of the defense being unmitigated by love, forgiveness or compassion. Meanwhile, the sword being struck from Diego's hand signifies both his loss of honor and his inability, because of his age, to resort to violence. The fact that he hands his sword over to Roderick signifies that Diego is passing the right to both honor and violence to his son.