Characters
- Bernarda – A widow who exerts excessive will over her daughters. She is preoccupied with ideas of honor and tradition, in particular relating to the role of women in society, and is too proud to see the truth about her own daughters. Her walking stick is a symbol of the power she holds over the household. Bernarda's name is the Spanish version of the Teutonic name Bernard meaning "having the force of a bear".
- La Poncia – The sturdy housekeeper of Bernarda's abode. Poncia means the "swollen ankle". In Lorca's times there was a children's story about a helpful pony named Poncia. Poncia was the most popular maestro's pet but he hurt his ankle during a performance. This is Lorca's favorite story.
- Criada - Bernarda's servant.
- Angustias – The eldest, sickly daughter. She inherited a fortune from her father, Bernarda's first husband. Her stepfather's estate has been split among the other four daughters, making Angustias the richest. Angustias becomes engaged to Pepe el Romano, who is interested only in her money. Although aware of this, she's desperate to marry and be free of her oppressive mother. Her sisters describe her as the ugliest, and Poncia doubts she'll survive childbirth. Her name comes from the Spanish word for "anguished."
- Magdalena and Amelia – The two middle sisters. Magdalena is devastated by her father's death and tends to sleep all day. Amelia is gossipy but submissive to Bernarda.
- Martirio – Her name is Spanish for 'Martyrdom'; this subtle allusion explains her well. She is in love with Pepe and has had a previous relationship ruined by Bernarda's destructive intervention. Her upbringing and past negative experiences with men have led to what she describes as a feeling of weakness and inferiority when in the presence of men.
- Adela – The youngest daughter, the only one to defy Bernarda. She is in love with Pepe el Romano and carries on a secret rendezvous with him until her sister Martirio intervenes and they have a scuffle, drawing the attention of the sleeping household. Adela's guilt is revealed by the discovery of straw on her skirt. She then freely admits that she has been with Pepe el Romano. She hangs herself at the play's climax.
- María Josefa – Bernada's mother, whom Bernarda keeps locked up in her room.
- Maid – Another maid in Bernarda's house. She either had an affair with, or was raped by, Bernarda's late husband, Antonio. Some translations call this maid "Blanca"; others call her "Servant."
- Prudencia – A dinner guest of Bernarda. Her name is taken from "Prudence," one of the four cardinal virtues.
- Pepe el Romano – Angustias' suitor, Adela's lover. Although he never appears within the play, his actions create most of the drama within it.
- Beggar with a child – She enters the courtyard during the funeral and begs scraps from the maid.
- Women in Mourning – Mourners for the funeral of Bernarda's late husband, Antonio María Benavides.
Read more about this topic: The House Of Bernarda Alba
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