MSS141 Reading Questions for Calderón's Life is a Dream
Act Three

1.  What happens at the beginning of the act that makes Segismundo question again whether or not he is awake or dreaming?

2.  What purpose does Clarin fill at the beginning of the scene?  

3.  How does Segismundo behave differently this time?  What does he resolve to do?  

4.  Why does Clotaldo refuse to help Segismundo?

5.  How is Clotaldo torn between duty to his king and duty to his family?

6.  How does Rosaura appear to Segismundo the third time and what are her reasons?  Why does Segismundo turn away from her?

7.  What connections do you see between Segismundo and Rosaura, other than their mutual attraction?

8.  How is Clarin's death linked to the king's fate?

9.  Hovering between death and love, the play ends happily, with a double bethrothal.  What transformation in Segismundo makes this possible?  What has he learned and what lessons does he impart at the end?  

**10.  Note the connections between theater and dream.  What connections does the play draw between them?  In what ways does the play seem to be aware that it IS a play?  What kind of experience does this create for the audience?