Advanced Song Analysis - Specifics Worksheet

Created by Josh Young - Oakland University

2000 word minimum

Name: Noah Canales

Date: 2/1/21
Song Title: Epiphany
Show: Sweeny Todd , The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , A Musical Thriller
Composer: Stephen Sondheim
Lyricist: Hugh Wheeler
Year: 1979

1. What do I want? / What am I fighting for?

a) Immediately -
In this song, I (Sweeny) attempt to find sanity in a situations where everything I have been
(objective/intention)
working for has been practically torn away from me within a few short moments. As the
Include scene partner
piece progress I have to attempt hold on to my last shreds of humanity as it's ripped away
in your answer. Your
from me layer by layer until there's nothing left but a shell of a soul.
immediate intention is
usually one of many
steps toward your
super objective. ie “in
the song”
b) Overall
(super objective) Kill Judge Turpin, get revenge, save daughter.
What does the
character want more
than anything else in
life? Usually linked to
the overall outcome of
the narrative.

2. What’s in my way? (obstacles)

a) Specific obstacles in
Judge Turpin storms out of my parlor, thanks to Anthony's outburst, ruining my shot
relation to a) above
b) Specific obstacles in Judge Turpin is a hard man to find/ access. Have to build reputation to get to him.
relation to b) above

3. With regard to the song, what do I do to get what I want? (Tactics)

a) Physically threaten, flail, cower, destroy

b) Verbally Scream, ramble, blame,
c) Other plot/plan

4. With regard to intention, what’s at stake?

The freedom of my only daughter, and avenging of my presumably murdered wife among being falsely imprisoned.
5. Who am I?

Identify all character details:

a) Name Benjamin Barker (Sweeny Todd)
b) Age 48
c) Physical Traits Older, clean shaven but not well kept at the same time, average build but has old man strength
d) Education About the average education for a male raised during the industrial revolution in London
e) Personal The world is a fucked up place with fucked up people, so you mights as well get used to it.
Opinions
f) Likes Family, peace and quiet, pessimistic humor, baking
g) Dislikes Judge Turpin, entitled evils,
h) Fears not being able to take revenge
i) Ethics indifferent to anyone except family
j) Beliefs Everything is evil, so what makes his actions any different

6. Where am I?

Identify:
a) Country England
b) City London
c) Town ^^^
d) Neighborhood Fleet Street
e) Building 186
f) Room Upper Floor

7. What time is it?

a) Year 1846
b) Season Fall
c) Day Wednesday(?)
d) Minute 3:00 (?)
e) Significance of It's the long awaited appointment with Judge Turpin
the time

8. What are the given circumstances?

Identify events in the character's:

a. Past Falsely imprisoned, wife presumably dead, with captive daughter, whole identity change.
b. Present Slitting throats left and right to cleanse the world of evil <3
c. Future Gets revenge, but dies mere moments after haphazardly

In relation to the song, what’s:

a) Happened Judge Turpin just stormed out of the parlor, swearing he will send Johanna off to somewhere far away.
b) Happening Absolute mental breakdown.
 c) Going to Plots to still somehow get revenge
happen

9. What surrounds me?

What’s around me w/ regard to:

a) Weather Bleak smog covers the cold London sky
b) Landscape Crammed cobblestone streets with buildings expanding up rather than out.
c) People Ms. Lovett, Anthony (for the first 5 seconds)
d) Objects; Barber's chair, barber equipment, a mirror, handgun?
animate and
inanimate

10. What are my relationships?

a) To People Lovett: semi-partner in crime, Anthony: pawn to get daughter free,

b) To Objects Chair and all other physical are quite literally his livelihood.
c) To Events This is the beginning of the end/downfall

11. What do I say about myself?

Inward self loathing: I deserve to die just like everyone else.

12. What do others say about me?

obsessed, dark, morbidly charming in a strange way (Lovett), fatherly in a weird way.

13. What words or phrases immediately spring to mind about your character?

Tortured, morbid, perfectionist, pessimistic, manipulative, vengeful, martyr

14. What situations in your own life parallel or have paralleled the situations your character faces?

me being at my literal mental breaking point due to the mania/ psychosis caused by faulty medication and constant bullying

15. Moment before

- Please go into detail right through the intro and up to the first lyric
- Your moment before should propel you into the action of the song

Judge Turpin storms out of the barbershop saying he will never return again, and he will send Johanna off to where she will never see the light of day again.