Blog post #6: Music Video Logos

Logos refers to the structure or logic behind an argument. In my previous couple blog post I reflected on the rhetoric and strategies used in the mucic video, Become the Bull, by Atreyu. In analyzing the logos in this video, I feel it is important to think about the relationship between the video itself and the lyrics of the song. The first thing I noticed with the structure is that there is a consistent switching back and fourth in the video between the people running from the bull and the band performing. This really builds on the lyrics, "back and fourth, the struggle consumes us all," because it uses structure in the video to match the words of the song. This also works to create a contrast. For example, when the audience has more than one thing to follow going on in the video, more focus is drawn to the consistent lyrics of the song. Because of this, I really feel that Atrayu wanted the lyrics, not the video to be the main focal point of the audience. The video is also almost completely filmed in black and white, which also draws less attention to the visual aspect of the video. If one looks at the relationship between the video and the song and how it appeals to reason, You see a mob of people that appear to be running from a bull. At the end of the video, it is revealed that they were actually the ones charging towards the band. In terms of reason this can be viewed as a metaphor referring to the lyrics, " become the bull." It is also important to consider why atreyu chooses to spend such a large portion of the video focusing on them performing. With respect to logos, as I stated earlier, atrayu is trying to draw focus to the lyrics of the song, through this video, so when time is spent watching the band speak the words, at least in my mind I pay much more attention to what is being said. The band's facial expressions and body language also help to more effectively convey their message. Finally, I felt that the main purpose of the video is to simplify what was being said. "Become the Bull," can be interpreted many different ways and I feel that the band uses this video to logically show the audience what they mean. The story in the video consists of basically people who look terrified of something, running through the streets, and at the end of the video they all stop. Naturally I think the message this sends is, "Stop running." I think the message Atreyu is trying to send is stop running from your problems, and take control of them.

Blog post #5

For this blog post, I am going to focus specifically on the Pathos behind the the refrain from the song "Become the Bull" outlined in blog post #4. The words are "Back and fourth, the struggle consumes us all, trying to keep a level head. In the most, unsettling of times, today i become the bull." To me, the word Pathos most simply means; in what way does the writer of the text connect and draw interest from the targeted audience. This is often accomplished through playing with specific emotions or memories. Atreyu chooses to use the words "back and forth" to bring out a feeling of tension and almost struggle in the audiences eyes. For example, when one thinks of something going back and fourth, it is natural to think of some sort of uncertain or unsteady memory. After the audience is has sort have gained this feeling of tension, the words "consumes us all" are used to bring about some feeling of unity. It allows the targeted audience to feel like they are in this "struggle" together with the band and everyone else. This feeling creates a connection between Atrayu and the audience and sets them up to be open to the more risky statements that follow. To build more on this Pathos or connection with the audience, Atrayu refers to these times as unsettling, which is obviously a very common perspective among people with today's economy and world issues. Finally, after Atrayu has attempted to build up this really solid connection with their audience, they bring the rhetoric or argument portion of the song by stating,"Today I become the Bull." This is the point where the Pathos become crucial because only if the connection with the audience has been made, will the rhetorical meaning of that statement be taken seriously. If the audience feels that they are in the "struggle" together with Atrayu, and Atrayu says they become the bull and overcome their problems, then the audience is much more likely to feel they can do the same.