Muleta

It is different from the cape used by the matador earlier in the fight (capote de brega).

The muleta obscures the sword; and as in his earlier work with the cape, the bullfighter uses it to attract the bull in a series of passes, thus demonstrating his control over it.

The faena is the final series of passes before the kill in which the matador uses the muleta to maneuver the bull into a position to stab it between its shoulders, cutting the aorta.

If this fails, the matador must then cut the bull's spinal cord with a second sword, killing it instantly.

[citation needed] The task of killing the bull is given to the matador alone; his title means literally "killer".