War Cries

No one will ever forget William Wallace and his speech on the war front with his fellow Scotts men. Achilles and his love for his soldiers expressed on that rocky boat is no less extravagant. And how about the Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius, uniting his troops on the forefront for Rome? Maybe it was the infamous phrases of the Spartan king that stuck in your mind.

                So what makes these war speeches spectacular and memorable like no other? There are many aspects that go unnoticed that create an effect of amazement, heroism, and excitement. The music, for example, stimulates emotion in the viewer. The soundtrack of a scene is designed based on the sensation that the director wants projected. Hope is usually the “drug of choice” when a hero addresses his army. Sometimes, however, it can be a rush of action and anticipation, as seen in 300. In this example, the Spartan king is giving his speech while another army is charging his, waiting in anticipation for a blood brawl.

                Also apparent is the speech itself. Though ironic, the hero speaks to his army, usually thousands of soldiers. The irony is that in “Hollywood” the speech seems to have been heard by all the troops. In reality, only the first few lines of soldiers would have been able to hear their general. What I do not understand then, is how a story that is based on true events actually had occurred. Nonetheless, both aspects – music and speech - solidify the protagonist’s heroism and immortality.