Requiem (Mallory Bechtel)

In the song "Requiem" from the musical *Dear Evan Hansen*, performed by Mallory Bechtel, the lyrics delve into the complex emotions of grief, anger, and defiance. The protagonist grapples with the societal expectations of mourning someone who caused them immense pain. The song opens with a rhetorical question, challenging the idea of pretending to feel sorrow for someone who was not a positive presence in their life. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the protagonist questions the necessity of traditional grieving rituals for someone who brought more harm than good.

The lyrics vividly describe the internal conflict of the protagonist. They acknowledge the option to succumb to sorrow and hide away, but they ultimately reject it, asking, "Why should I have a heavy heart?" This line encapsulates the central theme of the song: the refusal to mourn someone who was a destructive force. The metaphor of a flood and an uncontrollable fire illustrates the overwhelming and damaging nature of the person being addressed. The protagonist's decision to not sing a requiem signifies their choice to break free from the expected norms of grief and to not honor someone who caused them suffering.

The song also touches on the broader theme of societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The protagonist rejects the notion that they should feel guilty for not mourning, asserting that "when the villains fall, the kingdoms never weep." This powerful statement underscores the idea that not all losses are worth mourning, especially when the person lost was a source of pain. The song concludes with a resolute declaration: "I will sing no requiem tonight," emphasizing the protagonist's strength and determination to move forward without being weighed down by false grief.