On Bullfighting

People have always been fascinated by the bull, its violent beauty and innate appeal as a symbol of sexual power. And the elaborate choreography of the bullfight also provides an opportunity to confront the other great obsession - death. To watch a bullfight is an extraordianry act of voyeurism. Beyond the theatre, the costumes and the well-worn plot is the fact that a man faces death while the crowd looks on. And so people are drawn to the areana to witness the ultimate spectator sport. They go to admire gracefulness and agility; to be horrified by the proximity of death; to witness a spectacle - all part of the business of watching an animal die. And that’s why people argue about bullfighting - whether it is a sport, an art form, or simply a type of stylized torture. The author explores them all, guiding the reader through the maelstrom of ideas.