Music Theory

 

The theme from the first movement of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony happens to consist of ten notes (see below).

The theme is played by cello, which is probably a callback to the aforementioned duel. The tenth and last note is C sharp. It has a sharp symbol in front of it because it is not part of the E flat scale. Like the word “jewel” stood out poetically, this note stands out musically, evoking a subtle dissonance. Every article I could find analyzing Eroica highlighted the importance of this single note in setting the tone for the symphony. I believe that this theme, inspired by the duel, and this particular note tell us exactly where to find the treasure. What we’re looking for is a number of degrees relative to an easterly direction. As it turns out, music theory has exactly what we’re looking for, degrees that are relative to the base key of E flat.

Each note in a scale has a degree associated with it relative to the base note in that scale. In the key of E flat, the first degree is E flat, the second degree is F, and so on, with the last being D, the seventh degree. Clearly this doesn’t help us as we’re looking for the number ten. However, C sharp is not in the E flat scale! To ascertain its number of degrees relative to E Flat, our base note, we must use the chromatic scale that incorporates all twelve notes. Starting from our base, we have the notes E flat, E, F, G flat, G, A flat, A, B flat, B, C, and C sharp. On the chromatic scale, C sharp is ten degrees above our base note of E flat. I think this indicates that the ten in “ten by thirteen” is ten degrees above (north of) our base direction of east, represented by the key of E flat. 

If you are of the opinion that this is far too obscure and complicated, then I agree. I think Byron came to the same conclusion when the young men who were physically close to the casque thought that “ten by thirteen” referred to rows and columns of trees. I think he divulged the exact location of the casque because, though they were only feet from the casque, they were still miles from solving the puzzle. Fortunately, he left the puzzle intact for us to ponder over years later. Now let’s see if the image will confirm our conclusions. 

Welcome to Level 7.