Reverberating Song in Shakespeare and Milton

Language, Memory, and Musical Representation

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Reverberating Song in Shakespeare and Milton by Erin Minear, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Erin Minear ISBN: 9781317063728
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 8, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Erin Minear
ISBN: 9781317063728
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 8, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In this study, Erin Minear explores the fascination of Shakespeare and Milton with the ability of music-heard, imagined, or remembered-to infiltrate language. Such infected language reproduces not so much the formal or sonic properties of music as its effects. Shakespeare's and Milton's understanding of these effects was determined, she argues, by history and culture as well as individual sensibility. They portray music as uncanny and divine, expressive and opaque, promoting associative rather than logical thought processes and unearthing unexpected memories. The title reflects the multiple and overlapping meanings of reverberation in the study: the lingering and infectious nature of musical sound; the questionable status of audible, earthly music as an echo of celestial harmonies; and one writer's allusions to another. Minear argues that many of the qualities that seem to us characteristically 'Shakespearean' stem from Shakespeare's engagement with how music works-and that Milton was deeply influenced by this aspect of Shakespearean poetics. Analyzing Milton's account of Shakespeare's 'warbled notes,' she demonstrates that he saw Shakespeare as a peculiarly musical poet, deeply and obscurely moving his audience with language that has ceased to mean, but nonetheless lingers hauntingly in the mind. Obsessed with the relationship between words and music for reasons of his own, including his father's profession as a composer, Milton would adopt, adapt, and finally reject Shakespeare's form of musical poetics in his own quest to 'join the angel choir.' Offering a new way of looking at the work of two major authors, this study engages and challenges scholars of Shakespeare, Milton, and early modern culture.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this study, Erin Minear explores the fascination of Shakespeare and Milton with the ability of music-heard, imagined, or remembered-to infiltrate language. Such infected language reproduces not so much the formal or sonic properties of music as its effects. Shakespeare's and Milton's understanding of these effects was determined, she argues, by history and culture as well as individual sensibility. They portray music as uncanny and divine, expressive and opaque, promoting associative rather than logical thought processes and unearthing unexpected memories. The title reflects the multiple and overlapping meanings of reverberation in the study: the lingering and infectious nature of musical sound; the questionable status of audible, earthly music as an echo of celestial harmonies; and one writer's allusions to another. Minear argues that many of the qualities that seem to us characteristically 'Shakespearean' stem from Shakespeare's engagement with how music works-and that Milton was deeply influenced by this aspect of Shakespearean poetics. Analyzing Milton's account of Shakespeare's 'warbled notes,' she demonstrates that he saw Shakespeare as a peculiarly musical poet, deeply and obscurely moving his audience with language that has ceased to mean, but nonetheless lingers hauntingly in the mind. Obsessed with the relationship between words and music for reasons of his own, including his father's profession as a composer, Milton would adopt, adapt, and finally reject Shakespeare's form of musical poetics in his own quest to 'join the angel choir.' Offering a new way of looking at the work of two major authors, this study engages and challenges scholars of Shakespeare, Milton, and early modern culture.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Putting security governance to the test by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Fashion Ethics by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Your Family, Inc. by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Integral Green Zimbabwe by Erin Minear
Cover of the book English in Speech and Writing by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Family and the State in Early Modern Revenge Drama by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Guibert of Nogent by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Anti-Racist Teaching by Erin Minear
Cover of the book The Tutu Archaeological Village Site by Erin Minear
Cover of the book A Good School for Every Child by Erin Minear
Cover of the book The Crusade in the Fifteenth Century by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Recognising Asperger's Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Home Truths About Domestic Violence by Erin Minear
Cover of the book Landscapes of Privilege by Erin Minear
Cover of the book John Lydus and the Roman Past by Erin Minear
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy