Music
Music greatly impacted society during the Elizabethan Era of the Renaissance. It expressed people's thoughts and ideas, and different styles were illustrated. Music portrayed what events were occurring at that point in history. One of the major styles during this era was known as polyphony. This type of music was similar to that of the Baroque time period. It reflected emotion and included multiple harmonies as well as melodies. Polyphony was split into five types of music: theater music, town music, church music, street music, and court music. It became quite popular. A Wait was a group of musicians that played together, much like today's bands. Where Waits were respected and only played originally composed music, street musicians were looked down upon, and played more light and lively music. Traveling music became quite popular. The musicians performed at churches and festivals. A few composers during this time period include Wiliam Byrd, John Dowland, and John Bull. William Byrd composed religous music. and many people today believe him to be one of the greatest composers during the Elizabethan Era. He was also an organist for Queen Elizabeth. Although he believed stongly in Catholicism, Byrd composed Anglican church music. William Byrd had a good reputation among other English musicians, and was well known due to his standing with the Queen. John Dowland was the most well known composer for lute music and published a book of songs in 1597 that became a bestseller. Aside from composing music, Dowland was a singer as well as a lute player. He played for King Christian of Denmark, and was paid much money to remain a servant in the Danish Court. John Dowland was inspired by popular concert songs as well as dance music. John Bull was the best-known organist during this era. He dedicated several pieces of music to his student, Princess Elizabeth, who was 15 at the time. Bull may have composed the British National Anthem, God Save Our Queen, although it is uncertain. He was said to have been the best composer during that time, except for William Byrd and Sweelinck of the Netherlands. These musicians performed madrigal and ayre styles of music. The instruments used during this time period were either string, wind, or percussion. The lute was the most used string instrument. It resembled a guitar but had a more rounded body. The next most popular instrument was the viola da gamba. Although similar to the instruments of the violin family, the viola da gamba was quite different in that the bow was underhanded and it had no end pin, although it was about the size of the cello. It was mostly played in groups with other instruments. The bass, on the other hand, was a popular solo instrument. The bass during that tinme period was similar to the bass of today. During the Elizabethan Era, various types of music, became popular, new composers emerged.
William Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan era and he was influenced by the music during this time period. Shakespeare's plays (i.e. Romeo and Juliet) depicted some of the culture during the time period in which he lived. The language used as well as the setting and knowledge of music show us that it took place during this time. Although William Shakespeare was not a composer, he did play a few instruments. On more than one occasion, he quoted words from songs in his plays. In Romeo and Juliet, (Act 4 Scene 5) Peter tells the musicians to play "Heart's Ease" and goes on to recite the lyrics. In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare wrote "If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it". William Shakespeare, as well as his play, Romeo and Juliet, was affected by the music during the Elizabethan time period.
William Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan era and he was influenced by the music during this time period. Shakespeare's plays (i.e. Romeo and Juliet) depicted some of the culture during the time period in which he lived. The language used as well as the setting and knowledge of music show us that it took place during this time. Although William Shakespeare was not a composer, he did play a few instruments. On more than one occasion, he quoted words from songs in his plays. In Romeo and Juliet, (Act 4 Scene 5) Peter tells the musicians to play "Heart's Ease" and goes on to recite the lyrics. In Twelfth Night, Shakespeare wrote "If music be the food of love, play on, give me excess of it". William Shakespeare, as well as his play, Romeo and Juliet, was affected by the music during the Elizabethan time period.
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Citations
"Elizabethan Era." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Dec. 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." Music in the Renaissance. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2014.
"Music in the Elizabethan Era." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
"William Byrd." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 June 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"John Dowland." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"John Bull (composer)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Mar. 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.