The Influence of Shakespeare on Dumas' "The Count of Monte Cristo"

Alexandre Dumas was very familiar with the works of William Shakespeare and was greatly influenced by the ideas in Shakespeare’s dramatic writings and poetry. Although Dumas did not often allude to Shakespeare’s literature, he took many of Shakespeare’s concepts and used them in his own works of literature. In The Count of Monte Cristo, death by poison, vengeance, and forbidden love are all plots that Dumas borrowed from Shakespeare. “The Count of Monte Cristo creates an intricate world framed with historical events but filled with creative genius.”

“Alexandre Dumas practically rewrites Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet” throughout the novel of The Count of Monte Cristo. Maximilian Morrel and Valentine de Villefort are Dumas’ versions of Romeo and Juliet. In Dumas’ novel, Valentine’s father does not approve of her marriage to Maximilian because he does not consider Maximilian to be a worthy suitor. The two lovers meet in the garden secretly after Valentine is forced into another marriage engagement. Valentine’s grandfather and the Count help them to eventually marry. Like Juliet,...