Which play by Jose Hernandez is about an artist who forged cannons for Spaniards?

• A. The Song of the Guns
• B. El Filibusterismo
• C. The Forge of Cannons
• D. The Cry of the Philippines

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is recognizing a work that centers on a craftsman whose skill is used to arm the Spanish rulers, highlighting how art and craft can be entangled with oppression and resistance in a colonial setting. The Cry of the Philippines fits this focus by presenting an artist who forges cannons for Spaniards, which becomes a vehicle to explore moral conflict, collaboration versus resistance, and the broader struggle for independence. This Makes the play strongly resonate with themes of artistry tied to power and the consequences of serving an oppressor, set against the historical backdrop of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

The other options don’t align as closely. One is a prose work by a different author and not a play, so its format and author don’t match the prompt. The remaining titles suggest gun imagery or revolution but don’t specifically anchor the plot around an artist who forges cannons for Spaniards in a Philippine context, making The Cry of the Philippines the best match.