La dama del alba by Alejandro Casona

Here are some discussion questions for La dama del alba by Alejandro Casona. I don't think this play has ever been translated to English, so this is for Spanish speakers only.

1. The opening scene description describes the location as being "sin tiempo" or without time, do you think the lack of a specific period of time helps Casona to focus on the theme? Do you think the specificity that the play takes place in a place "sin tiempo" was meant to immediately convey the feeling that the themes of this work are univeral to time and place?
2. What do you think Casona is trying to say as the children literally play with "Death"? Is Casona making a statement regarding our lives and their constant fragility? Is the fun that the children have demonstrative of their innocence or of their faith that all things about life, including death, are inherently good?
3. Death is portrayed as a beautiful woman. Do you agree with this embodiment, or do you find preferable the normal anglo-american version of death as a the "grim reaper"? What does the portrayal of death as a beautiful woman say about Casona's views?
4. The only time death is allowed to feel life is when she laughs with the children. Death later speaks of the feelings of sorrow, love, and other emotions she has experienced, why then was only laughter able to bring her life?
5. Death explains that the only time she has ever felt life was while playing with the children. Why is it that only children were able to realize a miracle so amazing as to bring death to life?
6. In Death's argument with Abuelo she states that life cannot exist without death, do you agree? Why?
7. Death tells Adela that "Cada hora tiene su verdad" or that "each hour has its truth". Do you agree? Are there things that are true now that aren't true later? Give examples.
8. While Death is convincing Angelica to kill herself, she tells her that beauty is also truth, do you agree? Are some things true simply because they are beautiful?
9. One of Casona's themes appears to be a belief that a beautiful legend or myth can be of more importance than harsh reality, do you agree? Do you agree that there are some myths that better serve the public good than the sordid truth behind them? Can we as a society be made stronger through belief in myths or are we always stronger for facing the truth, no matter how ugly?
10. Most of us don't believe suicide is an acceptable form of escaping our problems; however Angelica's eventual suicide brings the ultimate happiness to all members of the family. Be honest, were you hoping that Angelica commits suicide? Why? Was this in direct contrast to your own moral code?