Martirio’s Bitter Awakening

The House of Bernarda Alba

Martirio’s frustrated desire, sharpened by exclusion and surveillance, turns her into both a rival to Adela and an accomplice in the final tragedy.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Life of Fear A Life of Fear from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Life of Fear Men as Threat Martirio tells Amelia that she has feared men since childhood and sees herself as weak and unattractive.

A Life of Fear from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Life of Fear Men as Threat Martirio tells Amelia that she has feared men since childhood and sees herself as weak and unattractive.

A Life of Fear Men as Threat Martirio tells Amelia that she has feared men since childhood and sees herself as weak and unattractive. Her account presents rejection as a condition she has learned to expect. Frustration Beneath Resignation She recalls waiting for Enrique Humanes, who did not come and later married for money. The memory complicates her claim that she wants no relationship with men.

A Rival at the Window A Rival at the Window from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Rival at the Window Suspicion Takes Shape Martirio questions Adela about sleep and watches her closely.

A Rival at the Window from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Rival at the Window Suspicion Takes Shape Martirio questions Adela about sleep and watches her closely.

A Rival at the Window Suspicion Takes Shape Martirio questions Adela about sleep and watches her closely. She is positioned near enough to notice the signs of Adela’s secret movements. Jealousy Becomes Surveillance Her concern is mixed with envy and desire. What she cannot pursue openly, she tries to monitor and control.

The Portrait Hidden The Portrait Hidden from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Portrait Hidden A Secret Act Poncia finds Pepe’s portrait among Martirio’s sheets. Martirio says she took it as a joke, but Adela challenges that account.

The Portrait Hidden from "The House of Bernarda Alba". The Portrait Hidden A Secret Act Poncia finds Pepe’s portrait among Martirio’s sheets. Martirio says she took it as a joke, but Adela challenges that account.

The Portrait Hidden A Secret Act Poncia finds Pepe’s portrait among Martirio’s sheets. Martirio says she took it as a joke, but Adela challenges that account. Envy Exposed The image makes Martirio’s longing material and visible. Her act provokes the family conflict she has tried to keep within herself.

Love Confessed Love Confessed from "The House of Bernarda Alba". Love Confessed The Rival Speaks Martirio admits to Adela that she loves Pepe.

Love Confessed The Rival Speaks Martirio admits to Adela that she loves Pepe. Her confession strips away her earlier claims that she is merely defending family honor. Desire Turns Hostile She cannot accept Adela’s relationship and declares that she will not allow it. Love, denied a future, becomes a force of obstruction.

A Fatal Deception A Fatal Deception from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Fatal Deception The Lie Told Martirio tells Adela that Pepe is dead although she knows he escaped.

A Fatal Deception from "The House of Bernarda Alba". A Fatal Deception The Lie Told Martirio tells Adela that Pepe is dead although she knows he escaped.

A Fatal Deception The Lie Told Martirio tells Adela that Pepe is dead although she knows he escaped. She admits that she wanted Adela to feel the consequences of their rivalry. A Lasting Cost Adela’s suicide follows the false report. Martirio survives the conflict, but her victory is inseparable from death and renewed confinement.

Act One, after Bernarda leaves the room

Act Two, after Adela returns to the sewing room

Act Two, during the search of the rooms

Act Three, beside the stable-yard door

Act Three, after Bernarda fires