Influencing Alexandre DumasShakespeare's works have a great influence on other works cultivated throughout the world. Other writers wrote their own variations on the themes of Shakespeare's plays and adapted his style in their plots. One such writer is Alexandre Dumas, who wrote the famous classics The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, and The Man in the Iron Mask, to name a few. He was fascinated by Shakespeare's plays which presented a plethora of adventure, love, mystery and human behaviors in his characters. Dumas adapted his writing to have suspense and drama similar to that of Shakespearean plays. An example of a Shakespearean theme adapted by Dumas can be shown through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. Although the two have seemingly different plots, there is a situation in Dumas' novel that closely resembles one of Shakespeare's most beloved tragedies. Friend of the Count, Maximilien is in love with Valentine, the daughter of the prosecutor. They keep their affair a secret from the family because they feel Valentine's father would not accept it. Similarly, Romeo and Juliet keep their marriage a secret due to their rival families. Both literary works show forbidden love and fear of family disapproval. Valentine is engaged to a suitor that her father had chosen for her, while Juliette is also engaged to the suitor chosen by her father. None of these women accept these arrangements. In order to unite with their lovers, the two women take a potion that makes them fall into a deep sleep and appear to be dead. Little did the women's lovers know that their beloved would take the...... middle of paper ......ed of many writers, and continue his magnificent literary legacy over time.Works CitedMerriman, CD " Alexandre Dumas Sr. 2000-2010. The Literary Network. .Shakespeare, William. “Richard III.” Limited, Henneford Publications. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. United States: Cambridge University Press, 1988. 868-899.—. Romeo and Juliet. New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore: Washington Square Press, 1992. Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." Limited, Hennerwood Publications. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. United States: Cambridge University Press, 1988. 525-611. Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." Limited, Henneford Publications. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Cambridge University Press, 1988. 525-611.