Shakespeare and Music

Overview of Lecture

  • Topic: Integration of music in Shakespeare's plays, with a focus on Twelfth Night.
  • Aim: Understand the relationship between Shakespeare and music, early modern music theory, and how music functions within his texts.

Key Takeaways from the Lecture

  • By the end of the lecture, students should be able to:
    • Prepare for tutorial activities related to music in Shakespeare.
    • Identify the ways in which Shakespeare integrates music into his works.
    • Describe elements of early modern music theory.
    • Explain the various functions of music within Shakespearean texts, especially Twelfth Night.
    • Question the relevance and depiction of 'Shakespeare' in modern contexts.

Scene Analysis from Twelfth Night

  • Act I, Scene I: Duke Orsino's Palace
    • Lines by Duke Orsino:
    • "If music be the food of love, play on;"
      • Interpretation: Duke Orsino equates music to nourishment for love and requests an abundance of it, indicating his desire to indulge in emotional experiences.
    • Further Exploration:
      • The metaphor emphasizes the relationship between music and romantic feelings, suggesting that love thrives on continuous stimulation of emotions.
    • Music Description:
      • "O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound, / That breathes upon a bank of violets, / Stealing and giving odour!"
      • Imagery: Compares music to a pleasant scent, underlining its alluring quality and how it evokes pleasurable sensations.
    • Reflection on Music's Impact:
      • "O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou…"
      • Music is portrayed as both invigorating and transient; it brings moments of deep feeling that are fleeting.

Relevant Resources

  • Hansen, Adam. 2010. Shakespeare and Popular Music. Continuum.
  • Lindley, David. 2006. Shakespeare and Music. Arden.
  • Wilson, Christopher R. and Mervyn Cooke. 2022. The Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare and Music. Oxford University Press.

Themes in Discussion

  • Shakespearean Musical Afterlives:
    1. Why and How to Call Upon Shakespeare
    2. Tutorial-linked Activity: Early Modern Music
    3. Function of Music in Twelfth Night

Tutorial Preparation Ideas

  • Consider contemporary music references or adaptations linked to Shakespeare (e.g., songs or films).
  • Activity: Identify and analyze a song that incorporates themes or language from a Shakespearean work.

Examples from Popular Culture

  • The Beatles:
    • Song: "I am the Walrus"
    • Connection: References to Shakespeare's King Lear.
  • 2Pac:
    • Discussion on how Shakespeare's themes inform modern storytelling; cited Macbeth as an example of ambition and moral conflict.
  • Taylor Swift:
    • Song: “The Fate of Ophelia” inspired by Hamlet.

Music as a Literary Device

  • Functions of Music in plays:
    1. To signal important plot developments or character entrances.
    2. As allusions to create deeper connections between themes.
    3. Reflects early modern theory, connecting harmony and human emotion.
    4. Everyday life: Highlights the commonality of music in the lives of characters and society, reflecting their emotional states.

Detailed Analysis of Musical Integration in Twelfth Night

  • Use of Music:
    • Examples of how characters use music to communicate feelings and intentions.
    • Orsino's reflection on a song in Act 2, Scene 4, indicating the societal roles assigned to music in daily life.
    • Olivia's preference for heartfelt communication over musical expressions.

Historical Context of Music in Shakespeare's Era

  • Influence of music on daily life included:
    • Professional musicians in public service roles.
    • The integration of music in higher education as a component of the liberal arts.
    • Roles such as "waits" serving a ceremonial function in royal households.

Summary of Key Points

  • Music serves not just as decoration but as a primary vehicle for exploring themes of love, identity, and society in Twelfth Night.
  • The exploration of early modern musical practices provides rich insights into the emotional landscape Shakespeare navigated in his works.

Conclusion

  • Reflection on the pervasive influence of Shakespeare in modern culture highlights our ongoing engagement with his themes through contemporary music and adaptations.
  • Students encouraged to investigate how these themes resonate in today's musical landscape and literature.