Montaigne and Shakspere

by J. M. (John Mackinnon) Robertson

"Montaigne and Shakepere" by J. M. Robertson is an analytical work written in the late 19th century. This book explores the influences that the essays of Michel de Montaigne had on the works of William Shakespeare, specifically citing textual parallels and thematic connections between the two influential figures of literature. Robertson seeks to unravel the complexities of Shakespeare's growth as a playwright and philosopher through Montaigne's ideas. The opening of this work discusses the resurgence of Shakespearean studies and the noticeable gap in substantial examination of Montaigne's influence on Shakespeare's plays. Robertson notes that while traces of Montaigne’s ideas can be observed in Shakespeare's works, deeper systematic explorations have been limited and underappreciated. The author references previous scholars and their observations about specific passages in plays such as "The Tempest" and "Hamlet," positing that the philosophical undercurrents found in these texts are enriched by Montaigne's essays. He establishes a foundation for a more comprehensive exploration of how Montaigne’s insights might have shaped Shakespeare's reflections on themes such as human nature, existence, and morality.