Shakespeare, Madness, and Music

Shakespeare, Madness, and Music: Scoring Insanity in Cinematic Adaptations examines the use of music in the three political tragedies of William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Each chapter presents the musical treatment of individual characters afflicted with or feigning madness-Hamlet, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, King Lear, and Edgar-offering analysis and interpretation of the music used to underscore, belie, or otherwise inform or invoke the characters’ states of mind and providing a fascinating indication of culture and society, as well as the thoughts and ideas of individual directors, composers, and actors. A bibliography, index, and appendix listing Shakespeare’s film adaptations help complete this fascinating volume.