"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)
Images and Videos from Google and YouTube Subscribers.
Image from EricBronson Wong [HongKong] showing scenes
from the movie versions of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
14 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.
Andy Young
HELLO, anyone out there familiar with William Shakespeare? Or the music during his years?
Or is willing to learn about that period of music? Interesting posting... 🙂
Stephen Han
Andy Young I studied William Shakespeare in School.
Koh Daisy
Today your posting very atas… high brow 🤣Love Shakespeare’s plays esp Julius Caesar & Macbeth, Midsummer’s Night Dream. Probably lots of violin and flutes were used in his musicals.
Don’t know much else about the music then…more concerned about learning the plot, characters and passion in the play for exam’s sake. But Shakespeare did say: “If music be the food of love … play on…” (12 Night). He also said those who don’t love music are capable of evil crimes. 🤣
Andy Young
Koh Daisy,
HI, thanks for the response. You must be familiar with Shakespeare, being a girl student then. It's true that focus was on plot, characterisation and famous quotations for support.
James Kwok
Andy Young "Felix Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' in C major, written in 1842, is one of the best known of the pieces from his suite of incidental music to Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is one of the most frequently used wedding marches, generally being played on a church pipe organ." -- Wikipedia
Andy Young
James Kwok thanks for the quote on, "Felix Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March''.
It is well-known.
Do write again.
You are very informative.
Andy Young
Hi EricB. Thanks for starting this conversation... You're always one of the first.
Ericbronson Wong
Yes True To Say to understand William Shakespeare's Classics is really not an easy job,, like A Midsummer's Night Dream,, Hamlet,, Macbeth,, Tempest,, As You Like It,, Merchant Of Venice,, Otello,, Henry,, Romeo N Juliet just only to name a few Of Dis Great Playwriter's masterpieces,, His Name Lives On Forever,,,,
🙄🤗😭🤣🖐️✌️👌👍
Andy Young
Ericbronson Wong yes, actually it's not that difficult if you're interested. A few good pop songs created from his plays... Thanks for responding, my friend.
Ericbronson Wong
Andy Young,, Yes It's True,, D Movie ROMEO N JULIET was an International hit l saw it at d Orchard theatre(S'pore) in d late Sixties,,
Andy Young
Hi Colin, Nance, thanks for the readership!
Reply7h
Kali Dass S
This verse I will never forget,
"Who is it in the press that calls on me,
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music..."
Bcos of "Beware the Ides of March"
James Kwok
Kali Dass S Julius Caesar Act 3 Scene 2: "... If then
that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more."
Ericbronson Wong
Andy Young,, Yes It's True,, D Movie ROMEO N JULIET was an International hit l saw it at d Orchard theatre(S'pore) in d late Sixties,,
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