Shakespeare's Musical Imagery

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.