Sam Weller and Falstaff : convergence and divergence of character traits

Abstract

Samuel Weller from The Pickwick Papers and Falstaff appearing in several Shakespeare’s plays are generally considered the most typical comic characters of English literature. Therefore this paper includes an analysis and comparison of Sam and Falstaff’s characters with the main focus on their common features. To provide background for the character study, the theoretical part includes a brief outline of the history of comedy and satire in English literature. It also introduces the critical approach which is further used for the character analysis. In the following chapters, characters are considered from several points of view. First, their personal qualities are analysed, further, their relations to other characters within the stories are considered and the concluding chapter includes the specification of their main functions in the narrations and the influence they have on the plot development.