Kabuki, the Japanese Art vs. Puccini´s Madame Butterfly

The second theme is an actual folksong from Japan. In this case it both evokes emotion and refers to past and future events. This theme is played as Butterfly tells Pinkerton of her unfortunate family history. The theme itself is rather ominous sounding, because it represents the dagger used by her father to commit seppuku. In this instance the theme could be interpreted as the 'honor' with which he died, just as easily as it could represent the 'tragedy' of his death. Going even deeper, one could also interpret this theme as a premonition of Butterfly's tragic death. This theme is later repeated in act two when the American consul asks her what she would do if Pinkerton were never to return. She quickly replies that she would choose death. Here it is most definitely acting as a premonition, as well as emphasizing the sadness that Pinkerton has abandoned Butterfly and she cannot accept that fact. The final echoing of this theme is as Butterfly reads the inscription on the Dagger, "He dies with honor who can no longer live with honor." (Qtd. In Carner p 152) and commits seppuku herself. Just as in the first entrance of this theme, it represents both the tragedy of Butterfly's death, and the honor with which she dies.…