The Influence of Shakespeare on Dumas
Alexandre Dumas was the writer of many famous books such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. Dumas was influenced by many different authors and play writers, but one significant influence on Dumas’ writing was the work of William Shakespeare. Dumas used Shakespeare’s ideas of poison and romance in his novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Experts say that one pivotal element that Dumas used in The Count of Monte Cristo that is also used in the plot of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the notion of pseudo-poison in the tale of two lovers . In The Count of Monte Cristo, the Count gives Valentine a fake poison to give the appearance that she is dead . In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is given a fake poison so that everyone will think that she is dead . Unlike in Shakespearean tragedies, especially Romeo and Juliet, the poison does not end in a tragic ending. In The Count of Monte Cristo the two lovers are not deceived in a way in which they would kill themselves. In Romeo and Juliet, the unfortunate ending was the fault of...
Juliet strategizes her disastrous plan and worries, “How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo come to redeem me?” (Lines 30-32 of Act Four, Scene Three). Juliet is desperate to see Romeo, ergo she plans to fake her death. Her thoughts of Romeo finding her lifeless foreshadows their future. Romeo is deprived of the news of Juliet’s real state of health, therefore he says, “Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight. O mischief, thou art swift to enter the thoughts of desperate men!” (Lines 34-36 of Act Five, Scene One). Once again, Romeo’s perception is only focused on Juliet. His mental instability leads him to think Paris is in the way obtaining true happiness, thus he slays him. Romeo acquires poison, stands beside Juliet, and states, “Here’s to my love! (Drinks.) O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (Lines 119-120 of Act Five, Scene Three). Romeo observes Juliet’s body and determines that he should die beside her. Juliet wakes to his lifeless body, and determines she should commit suicide, as well. Romeo’s foolish decisions lead to the death of himself and
In today’s world the quality of the art form called writing is said to be somewhat diminishing, it is important for English literature to keep some studies of classic literature, such as Shakespeare. I think well rounded education must have a strong foundation in both modern and classical literature, for the foundation in classical literature, an in-depth study of Shakespeare’s works would be more than sufficient. Not only was Shakespeare so skilled in his writing that he has become a significant point in the history of literature, but a majority of his works were written on such basic human themes that they will last for all time and must not be forgotten.
This is explored through the characters of both lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Near the end of the play, Juliet drinks a potion to make her appear dead to her parents and get her out of an unwanted arranged marriage to a man named Paris. Once her parents would find her dead and place in a tomb with her ancestors, her other lover, Romeo, would get her and they would elope together. However because of miscommunication, Romeo was not aware of this plan and he heard that Juliet had died from someone else. Because of this he goes to see her and decides to kill himself, but after seeing her “dead” body for closure. When Romeo thinks Juliet is dead, he immediately resorts to suicide without once thinking about any other possibilities or considering a life without her. This quick conclusion leads to the unnecessary death of Paris, who also came to meet Juliet, and Romeo, himself, which then leads to Juliet killing herself. Before Romeo drinks poison and commits suicide, he says “Here’s to my love! (drinks the poison) O true apothecary,Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” This rash and hasty decision, had it been put off for a minute or so would have resulted in Juliet awakening and the couple living together, which was their goal. However, Romeo’s impetuosity results in an unhappy and tragic end to him, his wife and his wife’s other lover. This
Many characters’ actions as well as circumstances beyond the characters’ control played a role in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, but none was so pivotal as Romeo’s own actions. No character had the same opportunity as Romeo to single-handedly change the fate of these two characters. Without Romeo taking the action and initiative to impulsively drink the poison he and Juliet would likely have
In the play, Romeo and Juliet sneak out a lot to see each other. They do this because they are from rival families and their don’t want them to interact with each other at all. By sneaking around, it created more problems and Juliet drank a potion that would put her to sleep for a while and as a result, they both ended up killing themselves. They were both not listening to their parents and by doing that, it ended badly for both of them and their families.
William Shakespeare, an illustrious and eminent playwright from the Elizabethan Age (16th Century) and part owner of the Globe theatre wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream in which he portrays the theme of love in many different ways. These include the paternal love seen in the troubled times for Egeus and his rebellious daughter Hermia, true Love displayed with the valiant acts of Lysander and Hermia and the destructive love present in the agonizing acts of Titania towards her desperate lover Oberon. Through the highs and lows of love, the first love we clasp is the paternal love from our family.
In the poem “Juliet’s Soliloquy”, Juliet is alone in her chamber as she holds her vessel of poison. As Juliet expresses her fears in the heart-felt soliloquy, the complete severity of the situation weighs heavy on her mind. She thinks, “What if the potion is unsuccessful or does not work?” She wonders has the Friar deceived her and given her real poison instead of the nonpoisonous, so that no one discovers that he dishonorably wedded her to Romeo in disclosure. Juliet quickly gets rid of these difficult and unbearable situations and thoughts to be untrue. She still worries that she will find herself conscious in the hot and cr...
The play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, contains various twisting plots and remarkable themes. One of the main messages is that fate is meant to be and no opposing actions may reverse it. Throughout the play, Friar Laurence unknowingly proceeds with Romeo and Juliet’s desires, ultimately bringing them to their tragic death. Deciding to marry them and giving the potion to Juliet are the two most important ways that Friar Laurence contributed to the theme.
Reckless actions lead to untimely deaths. In Shakespeare’s tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, both protagonists fight for their hopeless love. Bloodshed and chaos appear inevitable in fair Verona; Romeo and Juliet come from enemy households, the Montegues and the Capulets, who have sworn to defeat one another. The young and handsome Romeo weeps over his unrequited love for Rosaline, until he lays his eyes on Juliet. Strong and independent, Juliet seeks to escape her family’s will to marry her off to Paris, a kinsman of the Prince. Fate ties these adolescents’ lives together binding them to witness the ill-fortunes of Romeo and Juliet’s love. Romeo and Juliet prove themselves woefully impulsive through their words and actions, which ultimately lead them along a series of unfortunate mishaps.
Across the Universe of Time: Shakespeare’s influence on 21st century society. It is harder to imagine a more universal writer than William Shakespeare. Rarely, if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed anywhere in the world and similarly rare is the tertiary English student who has not examined his work at length. His plays, sonnets and poems are common fodder for high school English departments across the globe.
It can be argued that William Shakespeare was the most influential writer in poetic history.
the law he brought back for the sake of lust. Angelo is an immoral and
Shakespeare can be shown to be a strong influence on many modern aspects of everyday life today, ranging from comedies, tragedies, history, modern television, and many other examples. Shakespeare is well known across the world and will continue to be an influence in the future. His true birthdate is unknown to this day, but his Baptized date was April 26th, 1564 in England.
One of those methods is the varied vocabulary seen throughout the text. Romeo and Juliet was written in the sixteenth century. Due to its difference in the nature of its vocabulary, quotes such as, "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” gain so much more sentiment and value (2.2.33 Shakespeare). As the reader reads this, the reader can feel the love that Juliet felt towards her love. Shakespeare uses these exchanges of love to lead the reader to the point of culmination, where the lovers kill themselves. Later in the play, Juliet realizes that her husband is dead and expresses her disdain. With Romeo 's body at her reach, she exclaims, “Drunk all, and left no friendly drop/ To help me after? I will kiss thy lips. / Haply some poison yet doth hang on them. / To make me die with a restorative" (5.3.163-166 Shakespeare). Shakespeare excellently conveys the pain that Juliet felt at realizing that the love of her life was dead. The feeling of sadness seeps through the words of the play and, thus, produces a heightened emotion of
William Shakespeare was born in an age of stability known as the Elizabethan Age. Under the rule of benevolent leader Queen Elizabeth I, the common people were happy and well-fed. “The impact of Shakespeare 's plays on the development of the English language can hardly be overestimated. Next to the translations of the Bible into English and the Book of Common Prayer, Shakespeare shares a unique place in the history of English. His influence over subsequent literature was similarly enormous.”(Shakespeare, William." Arts and Humanities).However, in the midst of her reign whispers of dissent spread throughout the villages and political upheaval was looming on the horizon.. Queen Elizabeth’s harsh religious laws (such as requiring the townsfolk