Blood Wedding #1

"Although doubt is not a pleasant condition, certainty is an absurd one."

Certainty is absurd because there is no way to be certain. However, doubt has a meaning to it and even though it is unpleasant, it has meaning behind it because there is questioning and understanding. Expressions of doubt exist in Oedipus, Wild Duck, and Blood Wedding.

There is doubt in Oedipus when the messenger comes to tell Oedipus that his father had died. Also, when Oedipus was told that he is not his father's son, he wants to believe it so that he can consider it to be true, but he still had doubts. However, there is certainty for Oedipus when the shepherd is called in to tell the whole story of Oedipus' childhood. The shepherd is the only one that knows the truth. With his story, the whole play becomes tragic. Having doubt caused Oedipus to search further to find certainty. But, by finding certainty, Oedipus is led to a tragic downfall.

Doubt is present in Wild Duck when Gregers tells Hjalmar that there was a sexual relationship between Werle and Gina. Hjalmar wants to believe Gregers because he is his best friend. But, Hjalmar still asks Gina to check for certainty. Gina gives him certainty and Hjalmar becomes disgusted with the daughter that he raised for fourteen years. By finding certainty, Hjalmar is crushed, but also he disowns Hedvig. This disowning of Hedvig leads her to kill herself. The search for certainty leads to the tragic downfall of Hedvig.

In Blood Wedding, doubt is present when Mother is hearing rumors about a previous relationship between Bride and Leonardo. Mother shared the rumors with her son Bridegroom. Certainty isn't really sought for in this situation but certainty is somewhat thrust upon them. In the end when Bride goes off with Leonardo on her wedding day the rumors become certain. This leads the Bridegroom to search for Bride, which leads to his tragic downfall. It is tragic because Bridegroom dies while searching for her.