Influencing Alexandre DumasShakespeare's works have a great influence on other works learned around the world. Other writers wrote their own variations on the themes of Shakespeare's plays and adapted his style to their own 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 works which showed a myriad of adventures, love, mystery and human behavior 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 within Dumas' novel that bears a strong resemblance to one of Shakespeare's most beloved tragedies. A friend of the count, Maximilien is in love with Valentine, the prosecutor's daughter. They keep their relationship 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 family feuds. Both literary pieces show forbidden love and the fear of family disapproval. Valentine is engaged to a suitor her father has chosen for her, while Juliet also becomes engaged to the suitor her father chooses. None of these women agree with these agreements. To join their lovers, the two women take a potion that puts them into a deep sleep and makes them appear dead. Little did the lovers of women know that their beloved would take over the...... medium of paper......and many writers, and will continue his magnificent literary legacy as time passes.Works CitedMerriman, CD "Alexandre Dumas pears." 2000-2010. The literature 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.