Music has been a part of society for centuries and can be found in every known culture. Isidore of Seville discusses music in The Etymologies, where he also refers to the myth of Orpheus and his lyre. Several texts, including Etymologies, the Ovidian myth, and the Middle-English Sir Orfeo, allude to the power of music and its ability to influence one’s emotions. However, it is important to understand that one’s emotion is determined based on their own interpretation of music. In another text The Philosophy of Music the author states “‘interpretation’ points to the fact that we find music an art steeped with meaning.” The message behind the music is up to interpretation, and regardless music has the ability to inspire and generate emotion, while
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In the section Music, Isidore of Seville first gives context behind the word; music is explained to be derived from the Greek word ‘Muse’. The nine Muses used their voices to tell and sing stories. They are credited as the inspiration of literature and the need to write down words. Isidore of Seville also refers to the Greek myth of Orpheus in Etymologies, explaining that Orpheus perfected the art of the lyre, an instrument created by the god Hermes. Isidore elucidates the power of Orpheus’s art (his lyre and voice) saying “whence it is thought that by his art he controlled not only wild beasts but also the rocks and the woods by the modulation of his song…” (98). Orpheus was gifted with the art to sway and control all things with the power of his voice and instrument. Isidore does not only refer to Greek mythology to emphasize the influence of the art, but he also gives examples of music’s influence on sports. Music can often sooth the spirit of one facing the toil of rowing, and can even urge the rowers on. Isidore of Seville stresses the power of music throughout the section and goes as far to say, that nothing is without music (95). In his introductory paragraphs on the topic of music, Isidore emphasizes ways in which music can manipulate and change one’s
In the section Music, Isidore of Seville first gives context behind the word; music is explained to be derived from the Greek word ‘Muse’. The nine Muses used their voices to tell and sing stories. They are credited as the inspiration of literature and the need to write down words. Isidore of Seville also refers to the Greek myth of Orpheus in Etymologies, explaining that Orpheus perfected the art of the lyre, an instrument created by the god Hermes. Isidore elucidates the power of Orpheus’s art (his lyre and voice) saying “whence it is thought that by his art he controlled not only wild beasts but also the rocks and the woods by the modulation of his song…” (98). Orpheus was gifted with the art to sway and control all things with the power of his voice and instrument. Isidore does not only refer to Greek mythology to emphasize the influence of the art, but he also gives examples of music’s influence on sports. Music can often sooth the spirit of one facing the toil of rowing, and can even urge the rowers on. Isidore of Seville stresses the power of music throughout the section and goes as far to say, that nothing is without music (95). In his introductory paragraphs on the topic of music, Isidore emphasizes ways in which music can manipulate and change one’s