This analysis looks at the similarities between Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline" and George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" books and tries to find out if Martin has been influenced by Shakespeare's play and if the fantasy genre has been influenced by Shakespeare's romances in general.
Fans and scholars have long argued if "Game of Thrones" has been inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. Especially Macbeth is mentioned quite often, though Othello, Hamlet and King Lear are also mentioned from time to time. However, something that rarely comes up are the so-called "romances", the plays (presumably) from Shakespeare’s last period. This might not seem odd, since the romances themselves are quite difficult to categorize in Shakespeare's body of work. But when one looks at them, some similarities to the fantasy genre spring to the eye. There are wicked kings and queens, magic, apparitions of gods and fairy-tale-like figures, battles, fights, and much more that nowadays seems to be stereotypical of fantasy fiction. Since "A Song of Ice and Fire" uses many of these stereotypes, it can be seen as prototypical for the high fantasy genre.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- William Shakespeare: The genre of the romances and the play Cymbeline
- The fantasy genre, exemplified by George R. R. Martin's A Song Of Ice and Fire
- The influence of Cymbeline in A Song of Ice and Fire.
- Conclusion...
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the potential influence of William Shakespeare's romances, particularly the play Cymbeline, on George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. It aims to identify and analyze specific connections and themes shared between these two works, delving into the historical context, genre conventions, and character archetypes common to both.
- The evolution of the fantasy genre and its roots in Shakespeare's romances
- Character archetypes and themes shared between Cymbeline and A Song of Ice and Fire
- The impact of Shakespeare's work on modern fantasy literature
- Historical and literary influences on both Shakespeare's Cymbeline and Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
- The role of magic, mythology, and political intrigue in both works
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section provides an overview of the topic, highlighting the ongoing debate about potential influences between Shakespeare's works and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. It specifically introduces the focus on Shakespeare's romances and the play Cymbeline, highlighting their relevance within the context of fantasy literature.
- William Shakespeare: The genre of the romances and the play Cymbeline: This chapter delves into the characteristics of Shakespeare's romances, particularly highlighting the play Cymbeline. It discusses the unique genre of the romances, exploring their connection to history plays, comedies, and tragedies. The chapter also provides background information about the play Cymbeline, its sources, and its historical context.
- The fantasy genre, exemplified by George R. R. Martin's A Song Of Ice and Fire: This chapter examines the fantasy genre, using George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire as a primary example. It explores the genre's conventions, themes, and archetypes, highlighting the elements that make it distinct from other genres of fiction.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the following keywords and concepts: Shakespeare, romances, Cymbeline, fantasy literature, A Song of Ice and Fire, George R.R. Martin, historical influences, genre conventions, character archetypes, themes, and literary analysis. By exploring these elements, the paper aims to shed light on the potential impact of Shakespeare's works on modern fantasy fiction.
- Citation du texte
- Philipp Röttgers (Auteur), 2016, Shakespeare and his impact on modern day fiction. Traces of Cymbeline in George R.R. Martin’s "A Song of Ice and Fire", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1189419
