While improvisation certainly had its place in performance, relying solely on it would have been incredibly difficult and prone to errors. Memorizing large sections of the text allowed the bard to:
* Deliver the story with greater fluency and confidence. Instead of struggling to come up with the next line on the spot, they could focus on delivering the story with emotion and dramatic flair.
* Maintain the integrity of the poem. Memorization ensured that the original text, with its intricate language and complex plot, was delivered accurately.
* Take a break from improvisation. This allowed the bard to focus on their performance without the constant pressure of creating new content.
It's important to note that memorization wasn't a complete replacement for improvisation. Bards still relied on their skills to adapt the story to their audience, adding personal flourishes and engaging with the audience directly. However, memorization provided a solid foundation and allowed them to improvise with greater freedom.
Think of it like a musician playing a piece of music. While they might improvise certain parts, they still need to know the melody and harmony of the song. Similarly, a bard reciting the Odyssey needed to have the story memorized in order to improvise effectively.