Life Is a Dream

Do any characters in the play exhibit a strong belief in free will? Explain and support your answer with textual evidence.

Who is the more dynamic character, Sigismund or King Vasily? Support your response with textual evidence from the play.

Examine Rossaura’s decisions to hide her identity, first while she is dressed as a man, and later, while she calls herself Astraea. What are her motivations behind these decisions?

At the end of the play, Aistulf agrees to marry Rossaura. Is this a reflection of his affection for her, or is he simply following the demands of duty?

Why do you think a Spanish playwright might have chosen Poland as the setting of this play?

Pathos is the power of a character to evoke feelings of sorrow or pity in a reader or an audience member. Identify the most powerful moments of pathos in the play. Explain and support your answer with textual evidence.

Analyze the character of Clothold. How does he exhibit fatherly characteristics in his relationship with Sigismund and then later with Rossaura? Is he a complex character, motivated by his emotions, or is he driven by duty in a largely straightforward manner?

In Act II, Sigismund throws a servant out the window for displeasing him. Is this act of rage typical of Sigismund or do you believe it to be a rare moment of violence? Explain and support your answer with textual evidence.