Group 2
4. right where you left me - Taylor Swift
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
"Help, I'm still at the restaurant
Still sitting in a corner I haunt"
Following the timeline of the book, Swift's "right where you left me" happens some days, years, or months after Circe is in isolation. This serves as a new start to a theme of the plot: discovery. The restaurant mentioned in the lyrics acts as the location where she is alone. Even after all this time she is "Still sitting in a corner I haunt". She remains there, since she has no way of leaving, haunting the area as its only member.
"Right where you left me
You left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever
You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever"
These lines serve more than one purpose in representing Circe and where she is. Not only does it perfectly show how her family left her "no choice but to stay here forever" but it emphasis her situation by reciting the same lyrics twice. Her emotions come pouring out as she says she has no choice but to stay after her family deserted her there and saying it twice manifests the meaning again. This song is more upbeat than the others, signifying she is "over it" and wants to leave more than anything. In the first group, sadness was a major emotion and theme within the plot and songs. In this second group, Circe feels more anger and agitation over the fact of the length of time she has been isolated. "right where you left me" is a perfect choice to reveal this change to viewers and shows Taylor and Circe's ranges in emotion. Thus further explaining how Taylor is a perfect representation of Circe.
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
"Help, I'm still at the restaurant
Still sitting in a corner I haunt"
Following the timeline of the book, Swift's "right where you left me" happens some days, years, or months after Circe is in isolation. This serves as a new start to a theme of the plot: discovery. The restaurant mentioned in the lyrics acts as the location where she is alone. Even after all this time she is "Still sitting in a corner I haunt". She remains there, since she has no way of leaving, haunting the area as its only member.
"Right where you left me
You left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever
You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever"
These lines serve more than one purpose in representing Circe and where she is. Not only does it perfectly show how her family left her "no choice but to stay here forever" but it emphasis her situation by reciting the same lyrics twice. Her emotions come pouring out as she says she has no choice but to stay after her family deserted her there and saying it twice manifests the meaning again. This song is more upbeat than the others, signifying she is "over it" and wants to leave more than anything. In the first group, sadness was a major emotion and theme within the plot and songs. In this second group, Circe feels more anger and agitation over the fact of the length of time she has been isolated. "right where you left me" is a perfect choice to reveal this change to viewers and shows Taylor and Circe's ranges in emotion. Thus further explaining how Taylor is a perfect representation of Circe.
5. mad woman - Taylor Swift
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
"And there's nothin' like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothin' like a mad woman"
"mad woman" is one of the most vital songs and moments of Circe's time to the plot and her personality. She turns "mad" after discovering her powers in witchcraft. These lines show parallels to two different time periods, one being before the other. In Salem, specifically the Salem witch trials, those who were thought to be witches were killed in vigorous ways such as live burning or a hanging. "and you find something to wrap your noose around" represents this in more ways than one. Swift is using this analogy her becoming "mad" to the way witches were murdered. This is because people thought they were "mad", hence their only reasoning for killing them. In Circe's case, she finds out about her powers and then becomes the "mad" Swift and other people talk about. "No one likes a mad woman/You made her like that" further explains how her family caused her to become the way she is. Being isolated led to her personal discovery. "you made her like that" is directed toward her family. When Taylor says "no one likes a mad woman" she is showing how woman with power and special abilities are disliked in society. This is apparent in Circe's life as people do not like the fact that she is a "God" and has magical powers.
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner
"And there's nothin' like a mad woman
What a shame she went mad
No one likes a mad woman
You made her like that
And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out
And you find something to wrap your noose around
And there's nothin' like a mad woman"
"mad woman" is one of the most vital songs and moments of Circe's time to the plot and her personality. She turns "mad" after discovering her powers in witchcraft. These lines show parallels to two different time periods, one being before the other. In Salem, specifically the Salem witch trials, those who were thought to be witches were killed in vigorous ways such as live burning or a hanging. "and you find something to wrap your noose around" represents this in more ways than one. Swift is using this analogy her becoming "mad" to the way witches were murdered. This is because people thought they were "mad", hence their only reasoning for killing them. In Circe's case, she finds out about her powers and then becomes the "mad" Swift and other people talk about. "No one likes a mad woman/You made her like that" further explains how her family caused her to become the way she is. Being isolated led to her personal discovery. "you made her like that" is directed toward her family. When Taylor says "no one likes a mad woman" she is showing how woman with power and special abilities are disliked in society. This is apparent in Circe's life as people do not like the fact that she is a "God" and has magical powers.
6. illicit affairs - Taylor Swift
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff
"And that's the thing about illicit affairs
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
It's born from just one single glance
But it dies, and it dies, and it dies
A million little times"
With a jump in the timeline, we follow Circe on her love journey. Odysseus, from Homer's Odyssey makes his way into the story line and sleeps with Circe. In order for this to happen like she wants it to, she has to turn his men back from pigs and give them a place to stay. After two days, he leaves again and Circe is left alone. However, she bears his child. The term "illicit affair" regards a relationship or instance that people may not approve of. Odysseus slept with her got her pregnant, which explains why some may not be supportive, especially since he does not return until much later. "It's born from just one single glance" exhibits how Circe fell in love at the first glance of Odysseus. This turns into the "illicit affair" event though she falls deeply in love. This is not the first time Circe falls in love, however, so this first occasion displays her ways of power and ability to lure men into her bed. She is a very powerful women who many fear. This follows the common theme of feminism within most Greek Myths and stories.
Lyrics by: Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff
"And that's the thing about illicit affairs
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
It's born from just one single glance
But it dies, and it dies, and it dies
A million little times"
With a jump in the timeline, we follow Circe on her love journey. Odysseus, from Homer's Odyssey makes his way into the story line and sleeps with Circe. In order for this to happen like she wants it to, she has to turn his men back from pigs and give them a place to stay. After two days, he leaves again and Circe is left alone. However, she bears his child. The term "illicit affair" regards a relationship or instance that people may not approve of. Odysseus slept with her got her pregnant, which explains why some may not be supportive, especially since he does not return until much later. "It's born from just one single glance" exhibits how Circe fell in love at the first glance of Odysseus. This turns into the "illicit affair" event though she falls deeply in love. This is not the first time Circe falls in love, however, so this first occasion displays her ways of power and ability to lure men into her bed. She is a very powerful women who many fear. This follows the common theme of feminism within most Greek Myths and stories.
7. Neville the Hero - Alexandre Desplat
Written & Performed by: Alexandre Desplat
"Neville the Hero" is one of my favorite songs from on of my favorite movies. I chose this instrumental song to end the second group for two reasons: 1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and any film from the series, represents power and witchcraft- with magic just like that of Circe; 2. Specific moments in the song where the rhythm of melody changes shows the strong emotions Circe feels when finding her powers. There are no lyrics to this song, which I like. It allows me to feel emotions and melodies better without focusing on certain meanings behind what the artist says. But, songs like this one have their own lyrics without saying anything. The instrumentals serve as them and allow for interpretation. Specifically, when Circe casts a protection spell over herself and her son after being confronted by Athena. Her son, Telegonus, is mortal. So, Athena wants him dead. Circe then casts the protection spell. Around 1:12 in the song, Neville Longbottom pulls out the Sword of Gryffindor and Harry Potter reveals how he is, in fact, not dead for the second time. When hearing this song, I thought of the scene in the book as well. When Neville shows the sword, Circe is casting the spell upon herself and her son. When Harry reveals himself, the spell is complete. Circe is Harry in a sense and is showing how powerful she is and how she cannot be defeated or convinced by Athena. The beat drop that happens a few seconds later symbolizes the change in emotion of the plot itself. Circe becomes powerful, angry, and less sad. She shows off her powers to those who come hear her and does not hesitate to change them into creatures. The rest of the song shows Circe's personality during this time. The faster beat and intense melodies constitute for her magic and witchcraft while remaining on the island.
Written & Performed by: Alexandre Desplat
"Neville the Hero" is one of my favorite songs from on of my favorite movies. I chose this instrumental song to end the second group for two reasons: 1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and any film from the series, represents power and witchcraft- with magic just like that of Circe; 2. Specific moments in the song where the rhythm of melody changes shows the strong emotions Circe feels when finding her powers. There are no lyrics to this song, which I like. It allows me to feel emotions and melodies better without focusing on certain meanings behind what the artist says. But, songs like this one have their own lyrics without saying anything. The instrumentals serve as them and allow for interpretation. Specifically, when Circe casts a protection spell over herself and her son after being confronted by Athena. Her son, Telegonus, is mortal. So, Athena wants him dead. Circe then casts the protection spell. Around 1:12 in the song, Neville Longbottom pulls out the Sword of Gryffindor and Harry Potter reveals how he is, in fact, not dead for the second time. When hearing this song, I thought of the scene in the book as well. When Neville shows the sword, Circe is casting the spell upon herself and her son. When Harry reveals himself, the spell is complete. Circe is Harry in a sense and is showing how powerful she is and how she cannot be defeated or convinced by Athena. The beat drop that happens a few seconds later symbolizes the change in emotion of the plot itself. Circe becomes powerful, angry, and less sad. She shows off her powers to those who come hear her and does not hesitate to change them into creatures. The rest of the song shows Circe's personality during this time. The faster beat and intense melodies constitute for her magic and witchcraft while remaining on the island.