The Role of Music in Phantom of the Opera - Essay Example

What role does music play in Phantom of the Opera?

Introduction

The Phantom of the Opera is a 2004 film developed based on the French novel ”Le Fantôme de l'Opéra” written by Gaston Leroux, a French writer and published in 1910. The play has been staged in various events and film adaptations. The playwright uses two dominant themes, horror and love to present his ideas in the play. The author makes use of songs as the primary tool and technique in scripting the entire book. In fact, a significant part of the story is a compilation of lyrics and phrases from the songs. The another part is a narration of the songs and a description of events. In traditional societies, songs were used as ways of communicating sensationally (Anderson, George, William & Mary 126). The writer of the play has utilized this approach by crafting special moments out of the songs and describing them to form the story. Most authors and story-tellers are unable to use the feature of songs to articulate their ideas when explaining concepts and ideas to their audience as portrayed in the play. Songs play a crucial part in developing the themes. The songs have greats importance in plays and other written forms of writing that are used to pass information or convey a certain idea. Studies show that writers who have been able to pass information using songs in plays or lyrics in their novels have more people reading and liking their works. This paper discusses the significance of songs in the play and how the writer has used the tool to achieve his objectives.

What are the significances of the songs in the play?

Some of the songs that are used in the play include the title song, “The Phantom of the Opera,” “All I Ask of You,” “The Music of the Night,” “Think of Me,” “and Phantom. Each of these songs had a significant meaning and message to pass. The author has utilized the lyrics of these songs to develop the subject matter of the entire play, which is dominated by love and horror. Issues of fear and depression are also presented in the story though the musical elements. The songs supplement the message that the writer wants to pass. The songs are used as a unique way to communicate the intended idea.

The song, “Think of Me,” was scripted by Lloyd Webber and is a stage musical in the novel. Carlotta, who is part of the casting team quits despite the experience she has in singing. The move upsets the managers to an extent where they nearly cancel the show. However, Christine takes over the platform and accelerates with confidence, bringing life to the audience (Morrison 120). The contents of the song are an appeal to the audience to revere the singer, Elissa. The appeal is directed to an unspecified person with the intention of asking them not to forsake the singer even when they are distant. The author makes use of this particular song to explain the power of love. In light of this, distance is held in society as an aspect that breaks many relationships. However, through music, the singer sends out a message that people in love should remember one another even when they are not together.

“All I Ask of You,” is another song by Lloyd Webber that is used towards the end of the play. The song is used to describe love as the ultimate shield from problems. The song also displays love as a union that can help partners overcome any form of disdain or ill intent directed at them by their enemies. The background of this song is developed by the desperation that the characters go through. Christine is terrified by the murder of a stagehand and opts to flee to her childhood friend Raoul (Heatley 157). She hopes that Raoul will shield her from the untenable ghost who sniffs into their conversations without their knowledge. However, the heartbroken ghosts promised revenge against Raoul who seemingly wins Christine’s heart. The author uses this particular song to show the strength that rests in love, as people united emotionally cannot be broken even with supernatural powers.

The song, “The Music of the Night” is used as a tool for seduction. The song gains relevance when the Phantom lures Christine to his house beneath the opera. At this point, the Phantom used his music to communicate the unspoken love for her. Through his music, the Phantom also appeals to Christine to forget the past and fall in love with him (Morrison 144). In this case, music is displayed as a powerful means of communicating ideal situations such as love, which can only be felt but is invisible. Songs like the “The Music of the Night” can be used to seduce a lover. The song is also used as a method of expressing horror. The Phantom states that Christine should close her eyes and see a journey to a strange world.

To what extent is the story told in song versus through dialog?

The romantic account of the story presented in the story is done through music. The plot of the story is complemented heavily concerning the songs. The author uses the various songs to develop the entire plot, as some of the major issues such as love and rejection are covered in the lyrics. For instance, the song, “Think of Me” by Lloyd Webber, explains what the characters feel for one another.

The song is also used in the play to express emotions. When Raoul hears Christine sing, he is aroused by the music and tone, which also gives him a memory of their past. The emotional feelings that Raoul had for Christine are confirmed as real, but this is meted out by the music that revives their connection. The theme of Horror emerges when an unknown man kidnaps Christine and takes her to his house. The man unmasks Christine, who is surprised to see a man that is nose-less and with sunken eyes, resembling a skull (Heatley 211). Additionally, the music is also used by Phantom to develop emotions. For instance, the ghost in the play acknowledges that songs are emotional outfits that have a particular archetype of comfort. Even with the lifeless nurture of his appearance, the ghost requests Christine to sing to him.

On the other hand, the story uses dialogue to interpret events. The flow of ideas in the script is done using dialogue. In as much as the songs create a perspective on what the characters have in mind, a script is used to create a storyline that gives the lyrics some relevance. Various descriptions are provided to make the readers understand the characters, their relationships, and actions. Songs are only used to explain the emotional parts of the story. Christine, one of the main characters, appears at a gala event on one night where an old manager was being celebrated (Heatley 193). Raoul, a childhood friend, hears Christine sing, reminding him of the love he had for her. It is at this point that the significance of songs is brought forth in the play. For this reason, it can be attested that in the play, music is a major component as songs are utilized to illustrate the psychological and emotional aspects of the characters.

What is the importance of the lyrics in the play?

The lyrics to the various songs in the play assist the readers to develop insight on the issues raised by the author. Besides, the lyrics also complement the plot development and assist the readers to comprehend the subject matter of the songs. Through the lyrics, the readers of the play can connect to the feelings of the singers. In light of this, the readers can understand in sufficient depth, what takes place in the life of the characters, a crucial aspect that connects the readers to the story.

The lyrics are also used to introduce and illustrate specific themes. For instance, in the song “All I Ask of You,” the lyrics explain how much the singer demands freedom (Heatley 253). Through the words in the lyrics, Christine explains how much she needs to be free. She also speaks through the lyrics, the kind of love she needs. It is essential to note that it would be difficult for the author to explain some concepts such as love and relationship in the play without using the lyrics. In the play, lyrics create emphasis on the specific issues that are being explained, such as love and freedom.

The lyrics are also used to minimize the possibility of boredom among the readers. On this note, it is easy for readers to get bored or get lost in the middle of reading a given script. A plain story also lacks a taste of fun and engagement. The lyrics, therefore, makes the story interactive and engages the readers’ attention to the story. The words are also an exciting element of the story, which in turn makes the script lively. The introduction of lyrics in the play or a novel ensures that the reader feels relieved after being used to a certain flow of words. The use of the lyrics enables the reader to continue with the play or novel after that since it acts as a refresher.

Additionally, the lyrics are used to convey a message that could have been hard to be conveyed through any other means. Some messages can only be conveyed in the form of song lyrics so that they can be understood. For instance, the lyrics “No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you” in the song “All I Ask of You” communicate a message of avoiding fear in a special way that could not be passed using other forms.

What moments appear in the lyrics?

Various moments emerge from the composition of the words. It is essential to realize that in the play, the characters are given a chance to speak out their mind though the lyrics of the various songs. For instance, Christine claims freedom from the ghost through the lyrics of the song “All I need you.” She also uses this song to hint that her comfort and destiny from bondage is in love, which she seemingly receives from Raoul (Heatley 315).

The songs also present the emotional moments of the story. Romantic moments are precisely explained through the songs, as the characters fantasize by singing out their hearts. It is through the music that the characters get to speak out what they want, feel and hope to get. Phantom, Raoul, and Christine are greatly involved in music throughout the story (Morrison 253). They utilize this tool to communicate some of the most powerful messages that they cannot phrase into statements. For this reason, the use of music is important as it is developing an avenue of highlighting deep expressions.

Conclusion

From the story, it is evident that music is the central part of the play, “The Phantom of Opera.” It is through the music that the plot of the story is developed. The author has also carefully developed the characters using their musical engagements. Besides, music develops the basic framework upon which the author integrates new ideas into the story. Some of the crucial issues that are tough to understand though narrations are communicated through the songs. The music within the play makes the script lively to read and makes the reader or the observer of the play to still concentrate on the proceedings. For this reason, it can be attested that the author has been successful in developing an expressive plot by using the songs, as they paint a picture of the emotional and physical aspects of the characters. Additionally, it is recommended that various play writers and author of novels should use songs to ensure that the above-discussed benefits are enjoyed. The songs also ensure that the message of the writer is delivered as he or she could have wished.

“All I Ask of You,” is another song by Lloyd Webber that is used towards the end of the play. The song is used to describe love as the ultimate shield from problems. The song also displays love as a union that can help partners overcome any form of disdain or ill intent directed at them by their enemies. The background of this song is developed by the desperation that the characters go through. Christine is terrified by the murder of a stagehand and opts to flee to her childhood friend Raoul (Heatley 157). She hopes that Raoul will shield her from the untenable ghost who sniffs into their conversations without their knowledge. However, the heartbroken ghosts promised revenge against Raoul who seemingly wins Christine’s heart. The author uses this particular song to show the strength that rests in love, as people united emotionally cannot be broken even with supernatural powers.

The song, “The Music of the Night” is used as a tool for seduction. The song gains relevance when the Phantom lures Christine to his house beneath the opera. At this point, the Phantom used his music to communicate the unspoken love for her. Through his music, the Phantom also appeals to Christine to forget the past and fall in love with him (Morrison 144). In this case, music is displayed as a powerful means of communicating ideal situations such as love, which can only be felt but is invisible. Songs like the “The Music of the Night” can be used to seduce a lover. The song is also used as a method of expressing horror. The Phantom states that Christine should close her eyes and see a journey to a strange world.

To what extent is the story told in song versus through dialog?

The romantic account of the story presented in the story is done through music. The plot of the story is complemented heavily concerning the songs. The author uses the various songs to develop the entire plot, as some of the major issues such as love and rejection are covered in the lyrics. For instance, the song, “Think of Me” by Lloyd Webber, explains what the characters feel for one another.

The song is also used in the play to express emotions. When Raoul hears Christine sing, he is aroused by the music and tone, which also gives him a memory of their past. The emotional feelings that Raoul had for Christine are confirmed as real, but this is meted out by the music that revives their connection. The theme of Horror emerges when an unknown man kidnaps Christine and takes her to his house. The man unmasks Christine, who is surprised to see a man that is nose-less and with sunken eyes, resembling a skull (Heatley 211). Additionally, the music is also used by Phantom to develop emotions. For instance, the ghost in the play acknowledges that songs are emotional outfits that have a particular archetype of comfort. Even with the lifeless nurture of his appearance, the ghost requests Christine to sing to him.

On the other hand, the story uses dialogue to interpret events. The flow of ideas in the script is done using dialogue. In as much as the songs create a perspective on what the characters have in mind, a script is used to create a storyline that gives the lyrics some relevance. Various descriptions are provided to make the readers understand the characters, their relationships, and actions. Songs are only used to explain the emotional parts of the story. Christine, one of the main characters, appears at a gala event on one night where an old manager was being celebrated (Heatley 193). Raoul, a childhood friend, hears Christine sing, reminding him of the love he had for her. It is at this point that the significance of songs is brought forth in the play. For this reason, it can be attested that in the play, music is a major component as songs are utilized to illustrate the psychological and emotional aspects of the characters. Read More