The argument a Spaniard once made to me is that with a bullfight the bull is given a chance. It’s not much of a chance. The odds are stacked against it and we, the audience, are witnessing … literally cruelty to animals. But the bull DOES have a chance, however small. The bull can show how big and brave and majestic it is– and they do. And when they do, the audiences cheer. (That’s what they’re cheering– the bravery in the face of death for both the bull and the matador.)

If the matador is cruel, inexact or cowardly, the audience will chase him down the street afterwards — and the insults they hurl are the least of his problem.

I’ve had the opportunity to witness multiple corridas, all at Ventas in Madrid. Some I have disliked. The last one I went to had one of the bravest, most impressive bulls I’ve ever seen. He didn’t make it, but the audience cheered and he got a once-around the ring for his performance.

Not everyone’s going to be a fan of this and frankly, if bullfighting dies out, I won’t be that upset but it’s important to know that for some people who are aficionados of the corridas, it’s all about the bull — a giant, magnificent and brave animal — getting a chance, albeit small, to die in glory.