Nietzsche is very critical of Wagner in the readings that we were assigned for this week. He says that Wagner lures the weak and exhausted to him, which is how he gained his many followers. He makes a point of repeating that Wagner's art is morbid. The "art" that he brings on stage is described by Nietzsche as "nothing but hysterics--, the convulsiveness of his emotion, his over-excited sensibility...altogether these symptoms represent a picture of disease about which there can be no mistake" (18). This dramatic overplaying of emotion draws people in because he says "at present money is only made by morbid music, our great theaters live by Wagner" (19). People can still relate in sadness to music today; with music being so vague that we can all relate our own experiences to them. This song called "Empty Prayers" by Mary J. Blige I thought accurately fit this description of morbid art. She is speaking about how she does not know what she needs but her heartache is caused by a man. This man is not described at all and because of this we can attribute our own personal experiences about love and loss. I think that for an artist to be more descriptive in a song and still connect with their audience on this level is the mark of a good artist. To be able, without the use of manipulation in relation, to reach out to a vast amount of people.
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