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Poe and Shakespeare

In: English and Literature

Submitted By feistytink69
Words 973
Pages 4
Although, many have been inspired by the likes of Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare, there are similarities and differences between the two. Each author has been able to lure their audiences by the characteristics of their writing. Their places in society differ as each had different ways of dealing with the people in society, and their influences in literature has molded how many people see them as great prestigious authors. The types of writing that Poe and Shakespeare wrote can be compared and contrasted in two categories, genre and language. Both Poe and Shakespeare wrote tragedies, but Shakespeare was also fluent in comedies and romance, such as “Romeo and Juliet.” Poe was only familiar with tragedy in a dark and mysterious sense, such as, “The Raven.” Every short story or poem written by Poe has had a dark ambiance about it. He is also widely recognized as the inventor of the modern detective story and a mastermind in the science fiction genre. Another difference is, in the language used between the two authors. Mostly, this it is because of the time eras they lived in. Poe's writing used an intricate vocabulary to create mysterious imagery to capture and lure the reader into the story. “But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only, That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.” His writing was a reflection from the era of the Dark Romantics, which fit his writing to a tee. Shakespeare wrote in the language that was used in his time, the Renaissance or more specifically Elizabethan times. He also used unrhymed iambic pentameter in his writing, which made it sound more like poetry when spoken. This is because most of his works were plays that were intended to be performed.“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet.”

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