Introduction
Music and songs have the greatest powers on earth. Music has the power to turn on the spirits of the strongest warriors and steal their thoughts for a moment. I chose this topic and this opera because of the interesting scenarios of a strong warrior depicting self-conscious, and crying uncontrollably whenever he listens to a self-conscious song. Despite his might and strength, Ulysses cannot hold his tears whenever the divine bard starts singing.
In this paper, I hope to convince the audiences that no matter their strength or their wickedness, a self-conscious song has the power to turn on their emotions and display their inner character. This paper discusses the various instances that a self-conscious song turns on the emotions of Ulysses, the strong warrior and king of Ithaca.
The Self-conscious Song during the Feast of the Strangers
After winning the Trojan War, the warriors prepare to return home. The king of the Phaeacians decides to hold a feast to give the warriors a warm send-off. A feast is set, and Ulysses and his warriors are to be entertained by a skilful bard. After feasting, the muse inspires the bard to sing and praise the heroes for their victory in the Trojan War. As the bard sang, Ulysses was impressed. The song dripped down his heart and rose his self-conscious. Tears flowed down Ulysses eyes, and he snatched his cloak and dragged it over his head to hide his tears. This was a clear indication of how insinuating the song was. Despite his might and strength, Ulysses shamelessly shed tears as the Phaeacians watched. Whenever the bard paused, he could grab his cloak, wipe his tears and make liberations to the gods.
The Self-conscious Song in the Sports Contest
Ulysses arrives in Ithaca looking like a beggar. Laodamas invites Ulysses to participate in a game challenge, but his mind is preoccupied with his return home. Without knowing that Ulysses is a king, Laodamas provokes him because of his cowardice. Laodamas hurting words sting Ulysses; he leaps to his feet and displays his superior skills in the game. Ulysses’ skills are received with ululations and the herald orders a dance and lyre for Ulysses. The bard and a group of dancers and singers sing and dance for Ulysses. Ulysses is overwhelmed and he laughs and yells at how the dancers flashed their feet and stroke the sacred dance floor. The self-conscious songs draw Ulysses’ mind out of his worries of his return home.
The self-conscious song on recovering the kingdom
Ulysses finds that the suitors had taken advantage of his absence, overruled the kingdom territory and wasted his wealth. They had courted and importuned his lovely queen, Penelope. Ulysses is inflicted with so much pain, and he shoots an arrow that strips off all the suitors. Ulysses, his lovely wife Penelope, their son Telemachus, and all the loyal retainers claim victory as they recover the kingdom. They dance and sing songs of victory. The self-conscious songs drive Ulysses mind to reflecting all the struggles he had undergone during the war and his journey back home, and he sheds tears of joy.
Conclusion
It is evident that the power of songs and music can turn on the conscious of the brave king. The self-conscious song of the skilled bard plays a critical role in the opera The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland. Generally, song lyrics play a critical role in laying out fictitious emotions and characters in human kind.