Bohemian Rhapsody Poetic Devices

Bohemian Rhapsody: An Unconventional Epic Poem
Bohemian Rhapsody- A tale of the ever-present underdog, from the melody to the bizarre lyrics, the song is a quest from start to finish. In the height of what is now classic rock, 1970’s, Queen brought an entirely new sound to the music industry, something the world had never heard before, or so it seemed. With a soft melody, a slow, mellow piano that is broken by drum and guitar, the song is brought to life. Queen, through lyrics bring to life an all too familiar plot, the underdog who overcomes.
Every medium Queen uses, radiates the theme of overcoming. This fairytale fantasy begins with an instrumental sound that appeals universally to anyone who has felt sorrow or despair. The piano plays
The villain- a “silhouetto of a man” another obstacle against the “poor boy.” He is facing the fate destiny has in store for him, from killing a man. This is the point in our fairytale that the beloved underdog has to show his true colors. As every fairytale has it, he must face the fall. The clash and explosion of the villain “thunderbolts and lightening” have the underdog at this point succumbing to the violence of the darkness. He is horrified by the evil, “very, very frightening me.” In the midst of all this horror he cries out, “Galileo (Galileo)” high and low, emitting this cry to the stars and heavens. Alas “Magnifico!” he has an idea. The point where he tries to bargain with the Bismillah or God. Repeating to him, “he’s just a poor boy, from a poor family.” “Spare him his life from this monstrosity.” Desperate in his pleas he calls out “Bismillah, will you let me go?” over and over. To which he will receive,” I will not let you go.” The tension of all the pleading and bargaining has built up to the release. The underdog realizes his fate “Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me!” and accepts it. The strong vocals and build up so intense listening is not the only medium. You are right along with him as he gains a new found strength. Now more powerful than ever he exclaims “So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye.” He is now at his peak, refusing to succumb to the villain he is no longer pleading he is declaring his strength. He has made his way from an underdog to a hero. He has seen depression and pleading, anger, fear and bravery. He has stepped out of his comfort of being “easy come, easy go” and he has faced darkness and conquered it. As the beat thins out and the melody lightens he is back to his mellow state. “Nothing really matters, anyone can see” he is again unconcerned. His battle with the villain may be over but his fate remains, he has a special place in hell, “Beelzebub” has set aside for him.