Turandot's Riddles The opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) is set in the majestic Imperial City of Peking. Many men have asked to marry the beautiful Princess Turandot, but she is cold-hearted and does not wish to marry. Her father urges her to find a husband, so as a compromise, she creates three riddles. Any man who answers the riddles correctly will win her hand in marriage. However, if he tries and fails, he will be put to death! A handsome prince named Calaf hears of her offer and bravely tries his luck! Here are Turandot's three riddles: 1.) What rises at night, invoked by all the world, only to die at dawn reborn in the heart? (hope) 2.) What darts like flame but is not a flame, that grows cold with death yet blazes with dreams of conquest? (blood) 3.) What inflames you, white yet dark, that enslaves if it wants you free, but in taking you captive makes you king? (Turnadot) Luckily, Prince Calaf solves the riddles correctly and also manages to win Turnadot's heart. The opera ends as the couple profess their love for each other! Turandot's riddles are pretty tricky... but, perhaps can guess the answer to these: 1.) What can be seen but only heard, and will not speak unless it is spoken to? 2.) What is easy to get into but hard to get out of? 3.) What grows larger the more you take away? 4.) When you take two letters away from this five-letter word, you get one. What word is it? 5.) What has a big mouth but doesn't say a word?
The answers are: 1.) echo 2.) trouble 3.) a hole 4.) stone 5.) a river |
|
