"Nessum Dorma" Rhetorical Analysis

                                                                                  



                           “Nessun Dorma” Aria by Giacomo Puccini Rhetorical Analysis

 

In “Nessun Dorma” the writer argues that Caluf will be victorious at winning the Princess Turandot. In this song, Calaf, the Unknown Prince falls in love with Turandot, the princess. Princess Turandot requires any man who wants to marry her to correctly answer her three riddles, and if he cannot, he will be beheaded. "Nussum Dorma" is a victory song, an expression of confidence that Calaf will win Princess Turandot. Before this song is sung, Calaf has already correctly answered all the princess's riddles and offers her a challenge, to guess his name before sunrise. If she cannot do this, she will marry him, but if she can Calaf will be executed. Princess Turandot declares that no one shall sleep until his name is discovered. 

The writer uses Logos when he says, "My name no one will know," which is crucial because the princess decreed that "None shall sleep," until the name of the Unknown Prince is discovered. When he says this, he says that he is the only one who will reveal his secret. He is the Unknown Prince who correctly answers the Princess's riddles and brings a challenge, if she cannot figure out his name before dawn, she marries him. Though it is an appeal to logos in a way, it is a weak one because he does nothing more than merely state the fact that no one will know his name without any evidence in the aria itself. "Nessun Dorma" hardly appeals to logos because it is missing a vital component, evidence. I do believe that some evidence may be found in the rest of the opera. However, this aria lacks evidence in and of itself that Caluf will be victorious!       

 Ethos is more present within the context of the aria than it is in the lyrics of the song. The fact that Calaf has already correctly answered all three of the princess's riddles adds credibility to his character. It is much easier to believe that the princess will not figure out his name when he has already accomplished so much already. Caluf, providing the princess a way out, by guessing his name, also adds to his credibility because it signifies that he is so confident in himself, making it more believable to the listener that he indeed will win. "Vincero!"

"Nessum Dorma" appeals to pathos more than any other form of argumentation. The language is extremely passionate and confident all the way through as it is a victory, Aria. Caluf's confidence in his victory is most present when singing "I will win at dawn! I will win! I will win!", which are strong words of triumph. The words are always sung with such passion no matter who sings them, pulling at the heartstrings of whoever listens. Passion is also present in these verses. "When the light shines And my kiss will dissolve the silence. That makes you mine. Disappear, oh night.". All the words are poetic and beautiful, playing on the emotions of the reader all the way through. One cannot help but see ourselves in Caluf and be moved by this aria of victory! 

“Nessum Dorma” is a beautiful song, arguing the future victory and relationship between Caluf and Princess Turandot. The passionate words of Caluf are moving and inspiring to listeners of many generations. A strong ethos within aria’s context helps listeners to believe Caluf and foresee his victory.

 

Sources


Green, Aaron. “What Does the Famous Aria ‘nessun Dorma’ Mean in English?” LiveAbout, LiveAbout, 9 Aug. 2018, www.liveabout.com/nessun-dorma-lyrics-724333. 

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