BLOOD WEDDING : QUESTION BANK
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Blood Wedding
Study Questions
Act I
1. Why doesn’t the
Mother like to see her son carrying a knife?
2. What did the
Bridegroom have to do before proposing marriage?
3. The lullaby
that the Mother-in-Law and Wife sing to the baby seems to be an omen. What is
strange about this song? Is it a typical song for a child?
4. Why are the
Mother-in-Law and Wife impressed by the news of the girl?
5. Why is it a bad
omen when the Father says of his daughter, “She’s like my wife, in every way”?
Act II
1. Is the Bride
happy about her impending marriage? Why or why not?
2. What can be
inferred from Leonardo’s treatment of his horse?
3. Why does
Leonardo think that his relationship with the Bride ended?
4. How are Death
and Life contrasted in the dialogue?
5. Is the Mother
confident that her son and relatives will prevail in the feud to follow?
Act III
1. Do the Moon and
the Beggar Woman give an indication that Leonardo and the Bride will escape?
2. How is the
lullaby of the horse in Act I, Scene 2 a portent of what occurs in the forest?
3. Who is the
Beggar Woman?
4. How is the
relationship between Leonardo and the Bride different from the one between the
Bridegroom and Bride?
5. What symbols
does García Lorca use to indicate the inevitability of fate in the final scene?
EXTRA QUESTION BASED ON ACT 2 sc i
What does the lullaby mean ?
EXTRA QUESTION BASED ON ACT 2 sc i
What does the lullaby mean ?
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ReplyDeleteJust the mere fact that the knife is there and none the less being held by some one so dear to her, makes her scared. The knife it self is a symbol of mortality - that humans are not immortal and can in fact be killed. It mainly reminds her of the fact that both her husband as well as her son were both murdered, which is why she lives in a constant fear that her other son might be murdered as well.
ReplyDeleteGood job Sam...keep an eye out for the KNIFE as a motif.You need to quote the Mothers words here to make your comment stronger.
ReplyDeleteThe mother did not like to see the knife in the sons hand because it reminded her of the fact that her husband and other son had been murdered and everytime she sees the knife she is under the constant fear that her other son might be murdered as well..
ReplyDeleteThe knife plays a tragic role in the lives of her family and she wishes to avoid knives in any possible manner.
"Knives, knives…Curse them all, and the wretch who invented them…"
The mother says this in scene 1 and this dialogue shows us that she disliked knives and hated everyone who used them
keep this in your mind as a motif
DeleteAccording to me, the mother did not like to see a knife in her sons hand because it reminds her of the past. When someone holds a knife, it reminds her of the fact that her husband and son were murdered. It makes her scared. Throughout the first scene she curses the knife and the very use of it.
ReplyDeleteFrom AKHILA:
ReplyDeleteMother's husband and eldest son have been murdered. She doesn't seem to forget them and move on. She is still stuck in the past. When her only son, alive, asks her for a knife to cut some grapes, it reminds her of her husband and son's murder. She becomes sad about their murder and angry that the murderers are still alive. She doesn't mean, she wants to take revenge but she just doesn't seem to forget about what happened. She still grieves for them. She hates the inventor of such tools and hates the fact that her son is only asking for them, just to cut some grapes. She starts over-thinking with the mention of knives, or pistols, or axes, etc.
I believe that the mother dislikes knives because she is constantly reminded about her husband and son's death by it. Not only is she afraid of it but she is also infuriated by it, she refuses to believe that something as small as a knife can take so much away from her, that it can do so much damage. This is shown when she says "is it right, is it possible that so small a thing as a pistol or a knife can do for a man, a bull of a man? I’ll never be quiet." Although the mother reminisces about the past, she doesn't like being reminded about her husbands death, she is a bit ambivalent, similarly although she hates violence and knives and other weapons, she isn't satisfied by the fact that the killers are in jail and are still living, that they haven't paid enough for the crime they committed and the pain they gave her.She is scared and worried that she will lose her only remaining family- her second son- in the same manner, and the fact that he carries a knife around, the very same weapon that killed her husband, makes that pain and dread even worse, which is why she dislikes him carrying a knife.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe question was - What does the lullaby mean?
DeleteAnswer:
This scene also introduces lyric and poetic dialogue, which will become more frequent as the play progresses. In this scene, the lullaby does not comment directly on the action, but actually creates a sinister mood that differs from the cheerful and logical conversation between the bridegroom and the his mother. The stallion, which dies rather than drink from the dirt river before it, has its parallels in the behavior of Leonardo and mother who don't want to put the family conflict aside so that the bridegroom and bride can be happy together. The lullaby is a very harsh one which suggests that the women there stayed in harsh surroundings and were largely influenced by it that they couldn't think of a positive tone.
would you also like to draw a parallel between the fact that WIFE might be the dark water from whom Leonardo shies away? Give it a thought!
DeleteFrom Akhila:
ReplyDeleteThe poem/lullaby sung by wife and the mother-in-law is about a stallion, which dies rather than drinks from the river. The poem/lullaby is not exactly a child-friendly lullaby; it has rather very “strong” words in it. The mother-in-law tries to put in violent images in the child’s mind, which is very curious. Wife uses more of sweet and “light” words throughout the poem. We can observe that, mother-in-law is an aggressive character, because she uses words like “wounded, dagger, blood” whereas the mother is trying to warn the child of what is to come. She is trying to protect her child by asking the stallion to stay away. In this poem, the stallion is referred to youth, young generation, Leonardo, the mother is warning her child of the danger, as she loves him. It is understood that Leonardo is clever enough; he does not drink the water. Also, Leonardo is the only character with his name mentioned, which shows his importance in the play and also, his advantage of not living up to anything. His character is not shaped up by people’s expectations from him. In the lullaby too, he is expected to drink the water, but he does not, simply, which shows his true nature.
Question : What does the lullaby mean?
ReplyDeleteAnswer : Seeings as it is a translated from its original language, the lullaby does not necessarily come off as a lullaby. This lullaby is sung to the baby, which makes you wonder why such a morbid and dark song for an infant? It's not that the song is really intended to be dark for the kid - it's actually a representation or foreshadowing of later events on the play ; which are rather tragedies than events. Not only is a foreshadowing, but certain elements of the lullaby are meant to represent aspects of the play itself, such as, the stallion. The stallion in a way represents/correlates with the behavior of Leonardo. Overall though the theme of the lullaby is dark, and creates a sense of animosity, and forebodes darkness.
2. What did the Bridegroom have to do before proposing marriage?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: The bridegroom had to make sure that they had a secure enough future to sustain themselves, also to prove his worth in a way – thus buying the vineyard.
3. The lullaby that the Mother-in-Law and Wife sing to the baby seems to be an omen. What is strange about this song? Is it a typical song for a child?
Answer: No, not by any means. A lullaby is generally something very soft and sweet, and this is quite the antithesis of that. There are a lot of harsh subjects that are in that lullaby, which also present to be very morbid. It does not contain suitable topics for a baby, such as the topics of blood, expiry, and misery, which makes it a rather anomalous lullaby.
4. Why are the Mother-in-Law and Wife impressed by the news of the girl?
Answer: They had not been expecting it, nor did they know of their material wealth. So when the news that Bridegroom has bought her ‘the best of everything”, it came as quite a shock, and furthermore it impressed them immensely, not only them but the Servant as well.
5. Why is it a bad omen when the Father says of his daughter, “She’s like my wife, in every way”?
Answer: This is a bad omen because earlier on in the play it had been mentioned that her mother hadn’t really loved her father, and that her mother held a sense of pride - which to many translated that she was still prideful even though she hadn't loved him, that she ultimately didn't care too much. This suggests ‘mother like daughter’, thus presenting to be a bad omen.
Why is it a bad omen when the Father says of his daughter, “She’s like my wife, in every way”?
ReplyDeleteIn the play it is mentioned that the mother of the bride wasnt a very good person. She dint take care of her husbad. Not that we know much about her, but as far as we know, she wasnt a very nice person in any way. We know this because of the conversation between the mother and the neighboor in Act 1 Scene 3. Where when the mother asks for details about her brides mother she is informed that she wasnt how she was supposed to me, and wasnt a responsible wife. This forshadows how the daughter would be, that is, the girl her son would be marring. She didn't want a bad person in his life or hers. She wasnted someone sensible and smart who knew her place. The fact that the father said that his daughter was like his wife is ever way didnt seem to please the mother as she dint want the bad, but the best of a woman who will fullfil her duties properly
Why doesn’t the Mother like to see her son carrying a knife?
ReplyDeleteThe mother was haunted by the past whenever she sees the kive. It's an objct she hates with all her heart because that's the thing that diminished her family. Her husbad and elder son were killed with a knife. From then on, she never wanted that object around her. She hated the fact that something like this even existed. & she also couldnt accept the fact that a small thing like aknive could take someones life away.
"Knives, knives Curse them all, and the wretch who invented them"
This line has been taken from scean 1, where the mom clearly shows her haterid towards knifes.
2. What did the Bridegroom have to do before proposing marriage?
ReplyDeleteHe had to become financially stable enough to support not only himself but also a family,so he bought the vineyard.
3. The lullaby that the Mother-in-Law and Wife sing to the baby seems to be an omen. What is strange about this song? Is it a typical song for a child?
It is the complete opposite of an appropriate song for a child, a complete opposite of a lullaby, which is usually sweet,soothing and peaceful, but this "lullaby" is very melancholic and aberrant.It makes one feel very miserable.
4. Why are the Mother-in-Law and Wife impressed by the news of the girl?
Because the wealth of the bridegroom was unknown to them and they didn't expect such wonderful gifts. It was that display of material wealth was what impressed them.
perhaps they were also envious of the Bride for having made such a catch...remember her family was not very well off as compared to the bridegroom's which had vineyards
DeleteAct 2 Answers..
ReplyDelete1. The bride is not happy because she still like Leonardo. She compares the marriage to "misery".
2.Leonardo drives the animal too hard. He does not care if it lives or dies, he is just anxious to see the bride. He does not care of the consequences of his actions or who is injured.
3.Leonardo thinks that the relationship has ended because he thinks that the Bride is no longer interested because he is poor.
4. The mother constantly thinks and talks about the murders that have occurred. The images of the knives and daggers are in contrast to the conversations she has with the father.
from akhila:
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Act 2
1. The bride is not happy out her marriage, as she is still in love with Leonardo, but is too scared to show them out.
2. Leonardo does not car abut his horse's well-being. The only thing he really cares about is seeing the bride's face everyday.
3. Leonardo believes that his relation with the bride ended because he is poor, "oh, a pair of oxen and a miserable shack weren't enough for you"
4. The mother doesn't seem to forget her husband and her eldest son's murder and move on with her life. Whenever she talks about their death, she always includes knives and other kinds of weapons in her dialogue. She becomes emotional when her son asks her for a knife, and yet, in Act 2 Scene 2 she asks her son and her cousins to hunt Leonardo and the bride, "Hunt them! take every road. The hour of blood is here once more. "
1. Is the Bride happy about her impending marriage? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteShe is unhappy and describes the marriage as "miserable" because she reminisces about Leonardo,she is still in love with him, but her ambivalence makes her repress her feelings.
2. What can be inferred from Leonardo’s treatment of his horse?
Leonardo out of his anxiousness to see the bride is a bit reckless and doesn't realize or care the strain he is putting on the horse and the harm he is doing it. This shows his passion for the bride is still very much alive.
3. Why does Leonardo think that his relationship with the Bride ended?
He believes her to want a man with money and that because he is poor and did not earn enough to support a family their relationship was over.
4. How are Death and Life contrasted in the dialogue?
The mother although alive is living in the past and finds it impossible to move on from the murders of her husband and son and is obsessed with their deaths. Although she hates violence and death, this is contrasted not only by her conversations with the father but also by her desire to see the ones responsible for their murders, dead.
1. Is the Bride happy about her impending marriage? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: No, the Bride isn’t happy. She is very sullen about the whole thing, even to the extent of comparing it to ‘misery’. This is too due with the fact that she still has strong feelings for Leonardo, that she cannot diminish even with the circumstances.
2. What can be inferred from Leonardo’s treatment of his horse?
Answer: Leonardo’s apprehension and anxiety to see the Bride have impaired his judgment and thinking, thus why he doesn’t really comprehend or seem to care as too how much he’s putting the horse through – how much hurt he’s causing the creature. Although a cruel thing, it does show revere for the Bride.
3. Why does Leonardo think that his relationship with the Bride ended?
Answer: He believes as much because he thinks that the Bride doesn’t want to marry him because of his wealth – that she doesn’t want someone poor and lowly as him – a pauper.
4. How are Death and Life contrasted in the dialogue?
Answer: This brought out by the many character, a prevailing one being the Mother. She is always a pessimist – a cynic some would even say. She doesn’t believe her son will survive, due to what had happened to the father and the other son – something she has dwelled on all throughout. Her wavering instructions are a clear indication that her son will not come back from this confrontation living.
1. Is the Bride happy about her impending marriage? Why or why not?
ReplyDeleteThe bride appears to be unhappy by this, thus why she compares her wedding to ‘misery’
2. What can be inferred from Leonardo’s treatment of his horse?
Leonardo is anxious to meet the bride, he doesn’t understand the amount of pressure and strain he puts on the horse when he takes it with him to meet her. This shows his passion for the bride is still there.
3. Why does Leonardo think that his relationship with the Bride ended?
He thinks that her family wanted money and since he wasn’t so rich, she refused to marry him.
4. How are Death and Life contrasted in the dialogue?
The mother although alive is living in the past and finds it impossible to move on from the murders of her husband and son and can’t get over the fact that they passed away. She hates violence and death, but this is contrasted not only by her conversations with the father but also by her desire to see the ones responsible for their murders, dead, thus creating a sense of hatred between he son and the other family.
Question: How are the aspects of characters revealed through dialog?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Quite a lot of character is shown through their dialogue – seeing as this a play, rather than a novel, the only way to attain aspects of a character is mainly through dialogue. Take the mother for example; not really the most complex character out of the bunch but her dialogue is very profound and gives you a clear picture of her character. “We're all curious about what might hurt us.” This line taken from page 8 of the play shows a little bit about the mother; it shows us that the mother is a bit on the cynical side, that she is wary of everything around her. The statement in itself is a bit ambiguous, though along with her other dialogue it becomes clear that she is a bit of a pessimist and has deep recited troubles. “The knife, the knife! Damn the knife, damn all knives, damn the devil who created knives.”
HOW ARE THE DIALOGUES A KEY PART IN REVEALING ASPECTS OF THE CHARACTERS?
ReplyDeleteThe personalities of the characters, the way they think, a lot of their mindset is expressed through their tone, or the way they speak in the play. In the play, unlike in a prose, the main ways we, the readers get to know the characters are only through the dialogues, since its all mostly based on conversations.
Leonardo and the Bride have several conversations, which tend to develop into complex arguments that bring back the past and what it meant. Each of the two characters are on a different wavelength if you want to call it that. Their thoughts, intentions and especially emotions are not coherent. ALl of this is expressed through their dialogues, thus giving us a hint on what they think, and how they really are like.
Leonardo thinks about the past and the pain that dwells inside him as a result of the suffering he went through, while the bride thinks about the future and what it can possibly hold for these two old lovers.
Leonardo intends to make sure that the bride knows how he feels. He wants her to act as a stress reliever and as someone to ‘let it all out’ on. The tremendous emotional baggage he has carried all this time is aching to be let out, and she happens to be the perfect outlet, which will receive this emotional baggage and turn it into emotional guilt, her own guilt, her own suffering.
How are the aspects of characters revealed through dialog?
ReplyDeleteANSWER: Unlike a novel, in a play, the only way to get to know a character is through the dialogues. There are no vivid descriptions to emphasize on the personalities of the characters, and as a result, the reader must pay attention to the tone of the characters, that is let out in every dialogue. In blood wedding, Lorca uses his ability to phrase the thoughts of certain characters in the form of dialogues to connect with the audience, by giving them a glimpse of what exactly the character is all about, what he/she is thinking and how he/she would react to a certain circumstance, thus revealing various aspects of the characters, through their mannerisms. An example of this would be Leonardo and the bride, where several stimulating conversations between them, tend to flow into the direction of an argumentative conversation. Leonardo keeps reminiscing about the past and what would have been if they were together now. He obviously has feelings for her still and this is evident through the way he speaks to her.
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ReplyDeleteWhat does the lullaby mean?
ReplyDeleteThe lullaby that the mother and wife sing to the sleepy child isn't exactly, a lullaby according to me, as it not only does not resemble a normal lullaby, but also has a very negative tone to it. Possibly, the choice of words sung in the lullaby are of no concern to the infant as he/she may not understand it and only go with the tune, and thus isnt affected by the words that the lullaby are made out of. However, to the mother and the wife, the lullaby means something, it can be like a song, associating Leonardo's life with that of the "Stallion." The lullaby can be interpreted as a way of Lorca, foreshadowing the tragic events that are to happen in the later parts of the play, to Leonardo. We can also associate the lullaby with its LITERAL MEANING, where the Stallion is Leonardo's horse, that is almost always worn out due to the extensive use of it by the rider, Leonardo. Possibly, the wife and mother are suspicious about Leonardo doing something wrong and thus their thoughts are expressed through the dark lullaby. The black water could be explained as something that the horse isn't familiar with, enemy family's territory for instance. An explanation to this would be the fact that the wife and mother keep asking Leonardo about why the horse is so worn out when he comes home and so on, and how far he traveled and all of that. However, a stronger way of looking at the lullaby is as an interpretation that states that the stallions life resembles Leonardo, where he is the stallion and is stuck between being thirsty and unable to drink the 'black water.'
Overall, the way the lullaby is presented is very dark and although may have a deeper meaning to it, still doesn't explain why there dark lyrical verses as a lullaby, as usually lullaby's are something that are supposed to let you go to sleep comfortably and not give you nightmares.