Sonic Bodies: Text, Music, and Silence in Late Medieval England

Tekla Bude's book "Sonic Bodies" explores the relationship between music, matter, and the body in the late medieval period, arguing that writers thought of music and the body as mutually dependent and historically determined processes that called each other into being in complex and shifting ways. It broadens the definitional ambits and functions of both music and the body and demonstrates how embodiment and musicality are deeply intertwined in medieval writing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2022
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Tekla Bude's book, Sonic Bodies, delves into the intricate relationship between music, matter, and the body in the late medieval period. Building on the premise that music requires a performing body, Bude explores how writers of the time perceived music and the body as mutually dependent and historically determined processes. Through a series of case studies of texts by Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, Margery Kempe, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, and others, Bude demonstrates that writers did not view music and the body as separate entities or ontologically prior categories, but rather as interconnected and mutually shaping processes.

These sonic bodies, as Bude describes them, are often unexpected, peculiar, and even bizarre, challenging our conventional understanding of their constituent parts. By broadening the definitional ambits and functions of both music and the body in the medieval period, Sonic Bodies makes two significant interventions in literary criticism and music theory. Firstly, it expands the understanding of music and the body beyond their traditional boundaries, highlighting their interconnectedness and interdependence. Secondly, it demonstrates how embodiment and musicality are deeply intertwined in medieval writing, shaping the literary subjects and narratives of the time.

Bude argues that compelling literary subjects are, in fact, built out of musical situations. The book explores how music functions as a catalyst for emotional expression, narrative development, and the creation of vivid sensory experiences in medieval writing. Through its analysis of musical motifs, rhythms, and harmonies, Sonic Bodies sheds light on how writers used music to convey meaning, evoke emotions, and establish a connection between the reader and the text.

Furthermore, Bude explores the role of the performing body in the production and reception of music in the medieval period. She argues that the body was not just a passive medium through which music was transmitted, but an active participant in the musical process. The body's movements, gestures, and expressions were essential in shaping the sound and texture of music, and performers used their bodies to convey emotion, convey narrative, and engage with the audience.

Sonic Bodies is a thought-provoking and innovative book that offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between music, matter, and the body in the medieval period. By challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understanding of these interrelated processes, Bude provides a valuable contribution to literary criticism and music theory. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of medieval literature, musicology, and the history of performance.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812253702