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Gavin Doyle
Gavin Doyle asked Christopher Moore:

What inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet? have you had any of the same inspirations?

Christopher Moore Shakespeare "stole" all but three of his stories from history or previous tellings of stories, even other plays. I believe that Romeo and Juliet came from a book of Italian love stories, as did a number of the plays set in Italy (Two Gentlemen of Verona, As You LIke it, Much Ado About Nothing). A better scholar than I could tell you the name of the source book. I have looked at some of those old Italian texts, specifically the verses of Petrarch, but haven't found anything there that fired my imagination the way that Shakespeare's retelling does.
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More Answered Questions

Federico
Federico asked Christopher Moore:

I love your stories - what's your next novel going to be about? when can i expect to get my hands around it?

Kathleen
Kathleen asked Christopher Moore:

Lamb is one of my favorite books- and overdue for a reread! Are there any other biblical stories you have had ideas for over the years?

Mike Hamilton
Mike Hamilton asked Christopher Moore:

What do you think is the reason that Shakespeare's writings have stayed so popular after all these years? Also in English class we are watching Othello whilst we read it, Do you have a favorite Othello movie or a favorite Shakespeare movie in general?

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