Shakespeare's Musical Imagery
1st Edition
Published on 3. November 2011
272 pages
978-1-4411-8847-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
'Wilson's contribution is to catalog the "over 200 references to music and nearly 400 musical terms in Shakespeare's works"; he explains their meanings and explores their possible dramatic, poetic, and symbolic functions...This well-grounded study includes 414 notes and more than 15 pages of bibliography.'-Choice MagazineMore details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
6 illus
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-8847-2 (9781441188472)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Christopher R. Wilson
Shakespeare's Musical Imagery
Book
11/2011
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
€202.80
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
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.
Content
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
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
