Shakespeare and Nabokov: Transformations and Explications

Abstract

William Shakespeare and Vladimir Nabokov have some surprising similarities in their creation and re-creation of characters. They also demand more direct interaction from their audiences (or readers) than most writers have done. A comparison between the two will, of course, illuminate Nabokob, who was influenced throughout his career by Shakespeare, but it will also illuminate Shakespeare, showing a great modern writer using techniques similar to influenced by Shakespeare’s and also commenting on them.