This study analyzes six song settings of Shakespeare's "When Icicles Hang by the Wall" from his play Love's Labour's Lost. The song settings under discussion are written by Thomas Arne, Hubert Parry, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Roger Quilter, Gerald Finzi, and Dominick Argento. Although these composers are well known in the realm of vocal music, and many of their songs enjoy great popularity, their settings of "When Icicles Hang by the Wall" are generally unknown and have received considerably less analytical attention than their better known works. This document aims to supply insights into these six song settings by providing original musical analysis and performance considerations to aid musicians in the preparation, performance, and appreciation of these pieces.

The study is divided into four sections. The first chapter establishes the need for the study, its organization, and related literature. The second chapter contains background on Shakespeare, his play Love's Labour's Lost, and a detailed discussion of the poem "When Icicles Hang by the Wall." The third chapter presents the six song analyses, each one beginning with a brief biographical sketch of the composer, which is then followed by a detailed musical analysis of his setting of the poem. The fourth chapter concludes the document with a summary of the study and suggestions for future research.