What do you get when you combine Hollywood royalty with one of the most popular novels of all time? You get the chance to learn a little bit about the books that have made the greatest impression on the Prince of Wales. And, since we’re just guessing at this point, let’s assume that Shakespeare’s influence runs deep and that he’s had quite a lot to do with these novels. What better way to celebrate the bard’s birthday than by taking a look at the greatest interpretations of his work? Or, to give credit where it’s due, let’s take a quick scan through the novels that have caused the most uproar in the literary world. Perhaps it’s a good idea to start with the classic The Merchant of Venice. This iconic story of a lawyer who is unable to collect on a debt because of prejudice and discrimination has been adapted for the silver screen a whopping twenty-two times. It also happens to be one of the most popular novels of all time, having sold over 12 million copies worldwide!
Though it was originally published in the 17th century, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that The Merchant of Venice started to see a spike in popularity. Most likely due to the huge success of William Shakespeare, people were looking for ways to indulge their love for the bard. With the rise of Shakespearean acting came a rise in popularity for the novel. In fact, between 1905 and 1914 alone, there were twenty-four stage adaptations of The Merchant of Venice, with several more in the making. It was the era of the Great Shakespearean Productions, in which the most famous theaters around the world got together to present the plays of the bard. This, of course, also included the American premiere of The Merchant of Venice, starring Richard Bennett. It would be nearly half a century before Shakespeare’s masterpiece could be adapted for the big screen yet again.
Though it was originally published in 17th century, it wasn’t until the early 1900s that The Merchant of Venice started to see a spike in popularity. Most likely due to the huge success of William Shakespeare, people were looking for ways to indulge their love for the bard. With the rise of Shakespearean acting came a rise in popularity for the novel. In fact, between 1905 and 1914 alone, there were twenty-four stage adaptations of The Merchant of Venice, with several more in the making. It was the era of the Great Shakespearean Productions, in which the most famous theaters around the world got together to present the plays of the bard. This, of course, also included the American premiere of The Merchant of Venice, starring Richard Bennett. It would be nearly half a century before Shakespeare’s masterpiece could be adapted for the big screen yet again.
Alcoholism in Literature
Just like with The Merchant of Venice, alcoholism is often associated with literature. However, while some writers may opt for a drink or two as part of their creative process, this isn’t quite the case for everyone. There are numerous cases of writers who have actively avoided drinking and even those who have had profound impacts on their work due to their abstention from liquor. For example, William Styron, the author of The Confessions of Nat Turner, never touched alcohol. It was only later on in life that he started to experience mental illness. Could his abstention from drinking have something to do with that? It’s hard to say. What we do know for sure is that Styron was one of the most respected and influential authors of his generation and that his writing is considered among the greatest works of American literature. We should also point out that Styron is survived by his wife Elizabeth and his two sons, Michael and Andrew. Though he passed away in 2009, he will always be remembered for the great novel he left behind.
There are also cases of famous writers who had to completely alter their work due to their alcoholism. For example, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the author of The Brothers Karamazov, was apparently a heavy drinker who would frequently get drunk and lash out at his family. He eventually became so paralyzed by his addictions that he couldn’t even move his right arm. When he was finally forced to seek treatment, he had to start from the very beginning and rewrite practically the entire novel. The result was one of the greatest literary successes of all time, a book that still resonates with viewers more than a century after it was first published.
There are also cases of writers who were completely sober but whose work was still considered among the greatest of all time. For example, both Tolstoy and Lawrence were sober yet managed to produce some of the most influential and beloved novels of all time. Though Tolstoy wasn’t known for his drinking, there were rumors that he had a drink or two from time to time. In any case, it seems that being a good alcoholic didn’t hurt his literary career in the least. While many might consider War and Peace to be Leo Tolstoy’s magnum opus, he actually felt that Anna Karenina, his first novel, was the masterpiece.