"Who is it in the press that calls on me,
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music..."
William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616) made more than 500 references to music in his plays, sonnets, and poems. Do you know from which play the above quotation came from? No romance here, but a tragedy indeed.
Below are 6 meager samplings of some of them. Images are also shown of musical instruments used during that period.
Romeo:
It is my soul that calls upon my name.
How silver-sweet sound lover's tongue by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!
(Romeo and Juliet: 2: 2)
(2)
Lucentio:
Preposterous ass, that never was so far to know the cause that music was ordain'd! Was it not to refresh the mind of man after his studies or his usual pain?
(The Taming of the Shrew: 3: 1)
(3)
Orsino:
If music be the food of love, play on...
(Twelfth Night: 1: 1)
Lorenzo:
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sound,
Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoils...
(The Merchant of Venice: 5: 1)
(5)
Cleopatra:
Give me some music; music, moody food
Of us that trade in love
(Anthony and Cleopatra: 2: 5)
US President Ulysses Grant asks Senator Carl Schurz to play on a flute he proffers using the same Shakespearean quote.
(6)
Hamlet:
Do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?
Call me what instrument you will,
Though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me.
(Hamlet: 3: 2)
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7 comments:
STEPHEN HAN
Nice to know that William Shakespeare was nuts about music.
Andy Young
Haha.
Yes he was Stephen. I guess it's natural for most, even in the 16th and early 17th Century.
“The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils... Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.”
― Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
Daisy Koh
He also wrote “If music be the food of love play on...” 12 Night😁
Andy Young
Yes Daisy, It's at #3 on the posting. From Orsino. Thanks very much.
Irene Yap
Most interesting read Andy!! Just great!!
Andy Young
Thanks Irene. You've always been very encouraging. Glad you like the post. And thanks to the others who LIKE this post.
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
(The Merchant of Venice, 5.1.63-66)
I have a reasonable good ear in music.
(A Midsummer Night's Dream, 4.1.28)
What did thy song bode, lady?
Hark, canst thou hear me? I will play the swan,
And die in music:—
Willow, willow, willow.
(Othello, 5.2.292-5)
Most heavenly music!
It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes.
(Pericles, 5.1.293-95), Pericles
Taken from:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/quotes/shakespeareonmusic.html
Thanks for your postings - always entertaining, educational an bringing back memories.
I'm thinking of the many movie adaptations of Shakespeare plays including 'West Side Story' based on 'Romeo and Juliet'; the 'Lion King' based on 'Hamlet'.
You will remember this line from 'Twelfth Night': 'If music be the food of love, play on."
So my yang berhormat abang, please blog on.
Cheers and blessings.
Stephen Han
Peter Cheong
Ann Rowena Lim
Koh Sui Pang
Irene Yap
Ho Victor
Tan Ser Kiong
Tan Andrew
Rose Khoo
Mark Tan
Thanks to the above readers who LIKE this post.
An inspiring reminder of the fact that music should always be seen as a form of art, linked with arts and compliments the work of artists and writers alike. Indeed, “if music be the food of love, play on.”
Shakespeare quoted sonnets and verses and Beethoven in his Moonlight Sonata produced music only and with the passage of time our present-day musicians produce lyrics with music which is a combination of Shakespeare and Beethoven rolled into one and we now have the likes of Paul Anka, David Gates and Bread and the Beatles. Yes, we have evolved into a more artistic culture. Enjoy the evolution my friends.
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