Throughout the course of Sir Orfeo music has an enduring impact. The
bard singing the song, would make the influence of music much more
apparent to a Medieval audience, but even in studying the text itself,
the influence of music is present. Music is shown to be a multi-faceted
symbol, representing culture, Christianity, and even being used as a
‘weapon’ against the Fairie King. In choosing when to deploy his harp,
Orfeo is shown to know the value of when to reveal his artistry, and
when to hide it. In doing so, he is able to rule a harmonious Kingdom,
test his steward, best the Fairie King, and become the hero of his own
story. In doing so, Orfeo becomes not only the symbolic representation
of culture, but, like the bard narrating the tale, becomes the spreader of
culture, too.
References
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