Shakespeare's Musical Imagery

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