Shakespeare's Musical Imagery

by Christopher R. Wilson

Overview

Music pervades Shakespeare's
work. In addition to vocal songs and numerous instrumental cues there are
thousands of references to music throughout the plays and many of the poems.
This book discusses Shakespeare's musical imagery according to categories defined
by occurrence in the plays and poems. In turn, these categories depend on their
early modern usage and significance. Thus, instruments such as lute and viol
deserve special attention just as Renaissance ideas relating to musical
philosophy and pedagogical theory need contextual explanation. The objective is
to locate Shakespeare's musical imagery, reference and metaphor in its
immediate context in a play or poem and explain its meaning. Discussion and
explanation of the musical imagery suggests a range of possible dramatic and
poetic purposes these musical references serve.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441125507
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	11/03/2011
Series:	Continuum Shakespeare Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	648 KB

About the Author

Christopher R.Wilson is Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Hull, UK.  He has published on English music/words topics from the late medieval period to the 20th century.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements  
Introduction: 'Music to
hear':The
scope of Shakespeare's musical imagery \
1. 'By the sweet power of
music': Consonance and harmony \
2. 'And doleful dumps the
mind oppress': Passionate words
\ 3. 'A delightful measure
or a dance': Dance music \
4. 'Braying trumpets and loud churlish drums':
The music of war
\ 5.'A rhyme is but a ballad': Popular song \
6. 'Suppose the singing
birds musicians': Birdsong
\ 7. 'Orpheus with his
lute': Symbolic persons
\ 8. 'Gamut I am, the ground
of all accord': Music theory and pedagogy\9.'A thousand twangling
instruments': Art and country instruments
\ Epilogue: 'A swanlike end,
fading in music' 
Bibliography \
Index