Working w/ Data from the Shakespeare Concordance

1. What thematic strands have you located?

Music, song, sing, sound, tune, verse, pitch, ear, dying fall, Illyria

2. Where is the data you retrieved found? What is happening in context when Shakespeare employs this particular theme or image?

Most of our concordance themes come from Acts I and II. The character that mentions these recurring themes the most is Orsino, probably because of his love for music in general. Orsino often demands music to be played for him and loves music so much that he wants to practically drown in it. The Duke’s obsession with music is almost violent. Instead of wanting to hear songs for pleasure, Orsino uses music as an escape from life and love.

The characters the mention these themes the next most often are Sir Toby and Sir Andrew. The reason Toby and Andrew talk about music and song is probably because their love for food and drink goes hand-in-hand with music.

Viola refers to music because she compares her love to a sort of melodic song. She says that instead of talking to someone, she will sing to them and asks for their ear. Also, Viola’s name alone resembles a musical instrument, a viola, similar to the higher-pitched violin. The musical reference with Viola’s name can be related to how Orsino plays her by sending her to tell his love to Olivia. The duke also uses Viola and vents his problems to her and gives her advice, whether or not she wants to hear it.

3. How does the data you retrieved support your first thoughts on Shakespeare’s obsessive use of a particular image? What can you argue about Shakespeare’s figuration?

Initially, I didn’t think Shakespeare meant to use music as a recurring theme in the play Twelfth Night. Upon doing more research, however, it became clearer that music, song, and singing are referenced to throughout the play. Taking a closer look into the work, Shakespeare’s use of the name Viola and Orsino, Andrew and Toby’s love for music seems to be intended.