Shakespeare and music / David Lindley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lindley, David, 1948-2021.

Series:

Arden critical companions

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Knowledge and learning--Music.

Shakespeare, William.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.

Music.

Music--16th century--History and criticism.

Physical Description:

xii, 284 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Thomson Learning, 2006.

Summary:

Music permeates, Shakespeare's plays. This comprehensive study explores the variety of its theatrical functions, situating them in the context, of the Early Modern period's understanding of music. From the trumpet calls which animate the battle scenes of the histories and tragedies to the songs which inflect the moods of the comedies and romances, Shakespeare experiments throughout his career with music's potential to contribute to the effect of his dramas. David Lindley sets the musical scene of Shakespeare's England, outlining the period's theoretical understanding of music and discussing the experience of music heard in the streets, alehouses, private residences, courts and theatres, which an audience brought with them to the Globe and Blackfriars. Music could be praised as a symbol of divine and political harmony, or vilified as an incitement to lust and effeminacy; it could heal and cure, or fuel drunken rebellion. Focusing throughout on the plays as theatrical events, this work analyzes Shakespeare's dramatic and thematic exploitation of these conflicting perceptions of music.

Contents:

Part 1 Music in Shakespeare's Time 11

Chapter 1 Musical Theory 13

Chapter 2 Music in Practice 50

Part 2 Music in Shakespeare's Plays 105

Chapter 3 Instrumental Music and Dance 111

Chapter 4 Song 141

Chapter 5 Musical Thematics: Twelfth Night and The Tempest 199.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1904271715

1903436184

OCLC:

62212378