Despite the English occupation of Egypt lasting about seventy-five years (three-quarters of a century), French culture was the most influential in the aristocratic class in Egypt. Most of its members went to France to obtain their higher degrees from there. For example, we saw literary figures and visual artists like Taha Hussein, Mohamed Hussein Heikal, Ahmed Shawki, Tawfiq Al-Hakim, Mahmoud Said, and others travel to Paris and Montpellier to complete their education, interact with the Western world, and try to transfer its civilization to the Egyptian society. This followed the role of the first missions sent by Muhammad Ali Pasha, led at that time by Rifa'a Rafi' Al-Tahtawi (1801 - 1873) who recorded his experience in the first book revealing this interaction, "The Extraction of Brass in the Description of Paris", first published in 1834.

In his book "The Return to Shawki", researcher Shahid Irfan reveals Ahmed Shawki's influence by the French poet Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885). Hugo was his esteemed poet, and Shawki's literary works and life suggest that he took Hugo as his highest example.

In a conversation conducted by Al-Ahram editor on the occasion of the poetry festival held on the afternoon of April 29, 1927 to honor the Prince of Poets, and republished on October 20, 1972 on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of Shawki's death, and mentioned in the book "Shawki's Song and Theatrical Poetry" by Dr. Taha Wadi, the Al-Ahram editor asked: "Which French poets do you like the most?" Shawki replied: "Victor Hugo." He added: "I find a great similarity between Hugo and Al-Mutanabbi in terms of lofty imagination and uniqueness, as both rose in their language."

As for Shahid Irfan, he points out the similarities between the poets Shawki and Hugo, saying: "Hugo was a poet, novelist, and playwright, and so was or became Shawki, and it is most likely that he was guided in his ambition to be so by Hugo's guidance."

Hugo praised the Bourbon royal family, and Louis XVIII arranged for him 1,200 francs every year for his royal poems. This happened after the French Revolution, the emergence of the people as a force, and yet Hugo praised the returning royal family. Similarly, Shawki became the poet of the palace and praised the royal family. This also happened after the Arab revolution, and the emergence of the people on the stage of Egyptian political life.

Hugo was one of the admirers of Napoleon the First, and so was Shawki. His admiration for him is somewhat derived from Hugo's admiration for him. In Karmet Ibn Hani, there is a picture of Napoleon hanging in one of the rooms. Shawki has a poem entitled "On Napoleon's Tomb" in which he addresses him saying:

Go to the pyramids, show humility and humility ** The pride of the hunt and the glory of the conquerors

And take your time, you are walking on ** The sanctuary of the ages and the pulpit of the centuries

Poets, artists, and writers used to gather at Hugo's house in Paris, just as they did at Ibn Hani's vineyard in Cairo.

Perhaps the most significant influence of Victor Hugo on Shawqi – aside from his direct influence as a lyrical romantic poet (and the greatest of the French Romantics) – was his admiration for Shakespeare. The reason for Shawqi's interest in Shakespeare – despite not knowing his language – has many keys, but this is probably the most important one. Shawqi was influenced by his French idol in his admiration for English theater.

Hugo was exiled from France during the rule of Napoleon III (1851 – 1870), and Shawqi was also exiled for five years to Andalusia. This exile was a significant event for both of them and their literature.

Hugo received appreciation from the people and the state, and was elected as a member of the national, scientific councils, and the Senate. The same recognition was given to Shawqi, who became a member of the Senate in 1924. His desire to achieve the rank of Pasha after returning from exile was likely derived from his eagerness to be honored at the end of his life, just like Hugo.

His admiration for Hugo is evident from the poem he composed on the centenary of his birth in 1902. Shawqi only composed poems for five Western literary and artistic figures: Hugo, Molière, Shakespeare, Verdi, and Tolstoy. This suggests that the author of "Les Misérables" had a special place in Shawqi's heart. The beginning of his poem reads:

Your renowned anniversary is the greatest among them,

And you are the greatest, oh Victor.

They commemorate you with a hundred years,

And indeed, it is a short lifespan for someone like you among the stars.

It will endure as long as the discourse exists,

And as long as your insights and feelings ascend to the worlds.

Shawqi was influenced by Victor Hugo's poem "The Legend of the Ages" in his poem "The Great Events in the Nile Valley".