One of the most important linguistic differences between Cervantes and Shakespeare is the use of metaphor and simile. Cervantes was a master of the use of metaphor, and he often used it to create rich and vivid imagery. For example, in his novel "Don Quixote," he compares the protagonist to "a windmill" and to "a giant," and he uses these metaphors to explore the character's delusions of grandeur. Shakespeare, on the other hand, was more sparing in his use of metaphor, and he tended to use it for rhetorical effect. For example, in his play "Hamlet," he compares the protagonist's father's ghost to "a mole," and he uses this metaphor to create a sense of foreboding and doom.
Another important linguistic difference between Cervantes and Shakespeare is the use of humor. Cervantes was a gifted humorist, and he often used humor to undercut his characters' pretensions and to explore the contradictions of human nature. For example, in "Don Quixote," he uses the character of Sancho Panza to provide comic relief, and he uses Sancho's earthy humor to comment on the protagonist's idealism. Shakespeare, on the other hand, was a more serious writer, and he rarely used humor for its own sake. However, he did use humor to create tension and to relieve the intensity of his dramatic scenes. For example, in "Hamlet," he uses the character of the gravedigger to provide comic relief, and he uses the gravedigger's jokes to comment on the play's themes of death and decay.
Finally, it is important to note that Cervantes and Shakespeare were both influenced by the classical tradition. Cervantes was familiar with the works of Homer, Virgil, and Ovid, and he often used classical allusions and references in his writing. Shakespeare, on the other hand, was familiar with the works of Sophocles, Euripides, and Seneca, and he often used classical themes and stories in his plays. However, both of them were able to use the classical tradition in their own way, and they both created works that were original and innovative.
In conclusion, Cervantes and Shakespeare were two of the most important writers of the early modern period, and their choice of language had a profound impact on the development of literature. They both used the resources of their respective languages to create works of great power and beauty, and their works have had a lasting impact on world literature.