Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear. The Emperor’s Shadow focuses on Ying Zheng’s quest to unify China’s clans and his dealings with Gao Jianli. Zheng is deadest on having Jianli compose a national anthem. He forces Jianli to create an anthem that will appeal to the hearts and minds of the people. The movie emphasizes the power of music in expressing complex emotions of the heart, and its ability persuading the emotions of people. An example of how music is used to convey emotion is found in Jianli’s Ode to Yueyang. This qin piece is introduced shortly after Jianli and Yueyang’s affair is revealed. The slow melancholy song brought to mind flower petals carried away on swift breezes or watching a beloved item floating down …show more content…
On the other hand, Ying Zheng’s national anthem is designed to persuade the hearts of the audience to support the empire. The use of drums in creating a powerful beat signify the power of the empire. The overwhelming chant stimulates imagery of an unstoppable, roaring river and inspires faith and pride in the nation. All the while, higher pitches from the choir and stringed instruments leads one to imagine looking upwards towards the heavens, thus stirring up a sense of awe and respect. The anthem is completely designed to win over the hearts of those listening. It motivates them to feel proud of their nation and culture and to support the empire. Interestingly, the power of the anthem juxtaposes the fragility of the emperor as he grieves the deaths his daughter and the closest thing he had to a brother. The quiet and woeful qin piece that follows in the wake of the anthem emphasizes this contrast. It is as if the intensity of the anthem signifies a mask of strength to cover the broken and tired man underneath. Also, since the emperor represents the empire, this contrast in music reveals despite the powerful appearance of the empire, there is weakness within, and the citizens are tired and downtrodden, full of sadness and