Notice, however, the significant detail of how the bullfighter is sticking his tongue out at the bull in brave defiance! Astonishing. I would not be capable of mocking such a beast in a moment of great danger like this one.
"Mad" Miles
05-22-2010, 07:39 PM
Hey Edward/VO,
Thanks for the intense pic. But I'm not sure titling it "Defeats" is accurate. Did they let the bull live? I doubt it. Usually they're killed, no matter what.
As for calling whatever appears to be coming out of the matadors mouth his tounge. Seems unlikely, unless it is being forced out by the blow of the bull? Doesn't seem anatomically possible, but thankfully I'm no expert in the reaction of the human body to being gored by a bull.
Saw only one bullfight. In Guadalajara in the summer of '67. Three bulls, the last one white and refusing to die, or the matador was completely incompetent. From the reaction of the crowd it was probably the latter.
Never have been back. The gore running down the white sides of that last bull is indelibly fixed in my memory. All the talk of grace, beauty, pageantry, tradition, etc. doesn't send me, it's ritualized slaughter, plain and simple.
Always did like the "Ferdinand" story. A favorite childhood book. Now that's the way for a bull to fight in the ring! Or not...
P.S. On a third look at the pic, I get it! It's not the matadors tounge, it's the tip of the bull's right horn!!! Now that's a solid shot from the bull. Can't tell if it is on the other side of the matadors chin, or piercing up from the underside of his jaw? Yech... Either way, score one for El Toro. Ole!
P.P.S. On a fourth look the horn tip has to be piercing into and out of the matadors mouth. Triple yech!!!
Valley Oak
05-23-2010, 11:47 AM
I'm glad you caught the 'detail' of the 'tongue.' I laughed out loud when I read your email. I'm not sure but I think the horn came up from underneath his jaw because if you watch the video:
(Video: La escalofriante cornada a Julio Aparicio - Videos en ELPAÍS.com (https://www.elpais.com/videos/cultura/escalofriante/cornada/Julio/Aparicio/elpepucul/20100521elpepucul_5/Ves))
...you will see that the bull tosses the man around like a Raggedy Ann doll. Otherwise, I think the horn probably would have ripped through his cheek like butter with that tremendous force. I'm surprised the bullfighter's neck didn't snap like a twig, killing him instantly. Extremely lucky I guess because many bullfighters have died in Spanish bullrings.
Hey Edward/VO,
Thanks for the intense pic. But I'm not sure titling it "Defeats" is accurate. Did they let the bull live? I doubt it. Usually they're killed, no matter what.
As for calling whatever appears to be coming out of the matadors mouth his tounge. Seems unlikely, unless it is being forced out by the blow of the bull? Doesn't seem anatomically possible, but thankfully I'm no expert in the reaction of the human body to being gored by a bull.
Saw only one bullfight. In Guadalajara in the summer of '67. Three bulls, the last one white and refusing to die, or the matador was completely incompetent. From the reaction of the crowd it was probably the latter.
Never have been back. The gore running down the white sides of that last bull is indelibly fixed in my memory. All the talk of grace, beauty, pageantry, tradition, etc. doesn't send me, it's ritualized slaughter, plain and simple.
Always did like the "Ferdinand" story. A favorite childhood book. Now that's the way for a bull to fight in the ring! Or not...
P.S. On a third look at the pic, I get it! It's not the matadors tounge, it's the tip of the bull's right horn!!! Now that's a solid shot from the bull. Can't tell if it is on the other side of the matadors chin, or piercing up from the underside of his jaw? Yech... Either way, score one for El Toro. Ole!
P.P.S. On a fourth look the horn tip has to be piercing into and out of the matadors mouth. Triple yech!!!