Montaigne and Shakspere

In this thoughtful study the author revisits a long‑standing scholarly puzzle: how the French essayist’s ideas seeped into the mind of England’s greatest playwright. By charting the shifting tides of Shakespeare criticism—from the fervent debates of the New Shakespeare Society to the quieter interludes of the Browning era—the book sets the scene for a fresh reassessment of that intellectual exchange.

The investigation proceeds with meticulous close reading, linking passages in the plays to specific sections of Montaigne’s essays, especially the famed “Cannibals” translation that surfaces in The Tempest. Along the way, the author untangles the arguments of past critics, weighing their claims against newly uncovered chronological clues and linguistic evidence. The result is a nuanced portrait of how Montaigne’s reflective prose may have shaped some of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters and soliloquies.

Listeners will find a narrative that balances scholarly rigor with clear, engaging storytelling. Rich with literary anecdotes and vivid examples, the work invites both seasoned readers and curious newcomers to hear familiar dramas in a new, philosophically textured light.