Shakspere's Debt to Montaigne
"Shakspere's Debt to Montaigne" is a rigorous scholarly examination of the profound literary and philosophical influence exerted by the French essayist Michel de Montaigne upon the works of William Shakespeare. Author George Coffin Taylor meticulously traces the parallels between Montaigne's "Essays"-specifically John Florio's 1603 English translation-and the later plays of the Bard. By comparing vocabulary, phrasing, and underlying philosophical themes, Taylor demonstrates how Shakespeare absorbed and transformed Montaigne's skepticism and humanism to enrich his own dramatic output.
The study focuses heavily on works produced after 1603, such as "Hamlet", "King Lear", and "The Tempest", where the echoes of Montaigne's thought are most distinct. Taylor provides a detailed analysis of the verbal coincidences and ideological shifts that suggest a deep intellectual engagement between these two giants of the Renaissance. This work serves as an essential resource for students of Elizabethan literature and comparative studies, offering clear insights into the creative process of the world's greatest dramatist. It remains a definitive investigation into the cross-cultural transmission of ideas during the early modern period and the historical development of English literature.
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