The Prince of Egypt - The Plagues

The song 'The Plagues' from the animated film 'The Prince of Egypt' by Dreamworks is a powerful musical piece that captures the intense emotional and spiritual conflict between Moses and Rameses. Set against the backdrop of the biblical plagues sent by God to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery, the song is both a narrative and a reflection of deep personal turmoil.

Moses, once considering Rameses as a brother, is torn between his duty to convey God's wrath and his lingering affection for his former family. The lyrics 'Once I called you brother' and 'How it tortures me inside' illustrate Moses' internal conflict as he reluctantly serves as the instrument of divine punishment. This personal battle is juxtaposed with the catastrophic plagues devastating Egypt, symbolizing the inevitable consequences of Rameses' stubbornness and pride.

Rameses' response to the escalating disasters reveals his hardened heart and determination to defy the divine command, regardless of the suffering it causes. His lines 'Then let my heart be hardened' and 'I will never let your people go' underscore his tragic flaw—his inability to yield, even in the face of divine intervention. This stubbornness leads to a dramatic climax where both leaders assert their positions, culminating in a chorus that echoes the relentless divine decree: 'Let my people go!'