One common way is through the theme of love. Just as in Shakespeare's plays, modern novels often explore different types of love. For example, Romeo and Juliet's passionate and tragic love can be seen reflected in modern romantic novels where young lovers face obstacles. Another theme is power and ambition. Macbeth's lust for power is similar to characters in modern political or corporate - themed novels who will do anything to gain and hold power.
The theme of family drama is a big one. Shakespeare often wrote about family conflicts, like in King Lear. Modern novels, especially those in the domestic or literary fiction genre, frequently explore family relationships gone awry. Also, the concept of appearance vs. reality, which was so masterfully explored in plays like Macbeth, can be seen in modern novels where characters may not be what they seem on the surface. Social class differences, as seen in plays like Romeo and Juliet, are also common in modern novels, often as a source of conflict or tension.
Modern Shakespeare novels often blend the classic themes and language of Shakespeare with modern settings and sensibilities. For example, they might take the story of Romeo and Juliet and set it in a modern city, exploring how the themes of love and family feud play out in a contemporary context.
Well, Shakespeare's works have left a deep mark on modern novels. His ability to create multi - dimensional characters is something modern novelists admire and emulate. Take the character of Iago from Othello. His duplicity and the way Shakespeare developed this character has influenced how modern novelists create antagonists. His exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas in his plays also gives modern novelists ideas for their own works. Additionally, the way he weaved different plot lines together in his plays has inspired modern novelists to create more complex and engaging plots in their novels.
There's also 'Gertrude and Claudius' by John Updike. This novel delves into the backstory of Gertrude and Claudius from 'Hamlet', providing a new perspective on their relationship and the events that led to the tragedy in the original play.
One similarity is the exploration of human nature. Shakespeare delved deep into the psyche of his characters, and modern novels also often focus on complex human emotions and motives. A difference could be the language. Shakespeare's language is more archaic and highly stylized, while modern novels typically use contemporary language. Also, the narrative structures can vary. Shakespearean plays usually follow a specific dramatic structure, whereas modern novels have a wider range of narrative forms.
Many modern novels borrow Shakespeare's devices. His soliloquies, which are a way for characters to reveal their inner thoughts, are sometimes imitated in modern novels through internal monologues. Also, his ability to create vivid settings that are almost characters in themselves, like the forest in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', has influenced how modern novelists create and use settings in their works.
Love is a very prominent theme. For example, in 'Romeo and Juliet', the intense and tragic love between the two main characters is central. Another theme is power and ambition, like in 'Macbeth' where Macbeth's thirst for power drives the whole plot.
Not the founders of modern European literature were the Renaissance writers such as shakespeare, dante, goethe, dickens, etc. The Renaissance was a period of prosperity for European literature. Many outstanding works appeared and had a profound impact on later literature.
Shakespeare's use of complex characters has influenced modern writers. His characters are multi - dimensional, like Hamlet, who is full of contradictions. Modern writers also try to create such complex characters.