Technical terms in literature can sometimes overwhelm even great writers. Understanding these linguistic concepts and using them appropriately can enhance any work of literary and give it great depth. In this article, the term ‘allusion’ is described in detail with appropriate examples to assist writers with their writings.
The Definition of Allusion – What is an Allusion in Writing?
An allusion is an indirect and brief reference to a well known person, character, events or a place in a story. Allusion in a story allows the reader to visualize a concept or a situation and relate the story to its time.
A story, a paragraph or a poem can allude to a person, a character in a novel or movie, myth, historical event, the Bible, a particular setting or an era. The reader has to be familiar with the allusion in order to understand the prose or poem that contains it. An easy example is Harry Potter’s series where JK Rowling had alluded to many folklores and mythological names. For instant, Remus Lupin’s code name as Rumulus in Deathly Hollows was alluded from Greek Mythology.
Examples of Allusions in Shakespeare’s Works
Shakespeare was known to use allusion in his work. The play, Hamlet, notably one of Shakespeare’s greatest play depended heavily on allusions to support Shakespeare’s ideas and viewpoints. The character Hercules was alluded from Greek and Roman Mythology where he was known for his strength.
In Act 1, Scene 2, line 140, Hamlet compares his deceased father to Hyperion, Titan God of Light that represents virtue and honour and in contrast, compares his uncle – Claudius to a satyr, A Greek mythic fusion of man and goat. Satyrs are known for their rudeness and overindulgence, everything that spells Claudius.
“So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr” (i.ii.143-144).
Shakespeare’s other plays depended much on allusion as did Hamlet, albeit not as heavily. In the play, Macbeth for instant, Shakespeare alludes real life to the theatre.
Act 5, Scene 5, 19-20, The Tragedy of Hamlet, “ ...life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage...”
In Romeo and Juliet , Shakespeare has alluded to Ethiopia in one instant:
“...Like a rich Jewel in an Ethiop’s ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” Act 1, Scene 5, 44-46, Romeo and Juliet
Ethiop is an allusion to Ethiopia. Here he refers to the Ethiopian slaves who wore expensive jewellery in order to project their master’s riches.
Using Allusion in Modern Stories
Romeo and Juliet have become a popular allusion to modern romantic stories where a tragic love story is constantly alluded to being Romeo and Juliet or a romance star or character is often referred to as Romeo and Juliet.
In modern media, the animated movie Lion King is alluded from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The main theme of the story – revenge by the son is Hamlet’s theme. When Simba is born, Scar (the evil Uncle) realizes he’s lose the throne hence has Mufasa (the King) killed. The visit of Mufasa’s ghost is what sets Simba to return and claim his throne.
How about the ever famous Cinderella? This classic fantasy has captured the hearts of audiences for a long time that the theme has been alluded in many notable works, namely ballets, operas, and movies.
The over-familiar rags to riches theme with an evil stepmother and two equally evil stepsisters has gone through many remakes but the theme still intact. Examples of movies based on this classic fantasy are A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff, the multi-cultural remake by Disney Productions, Cinderella a Disney Movie with Brandy Norwood, Ever After – A Cinderella Story with Drew Barrymore and the all time favourite The Slipper and the Rose with Rosalind Ayress.
Allusion in prose or poem stimulates a wide range of thought in readers and gives a good writing the subtle depth, and minimizes the usage of long redundant sentences. By reading the single word that alludes to a place or person, readers are able to understand the hidden meaning behind the writing. Although, before deciding to use a particular allusion, it’s highly advisable that a writer does accurate research on the meaning of the word and also be partial to the fact that in many cases readers or audiences may not be familiar with a particular allusion that is used hence a further explanation may be needed.
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Punitha Muniandy - "Writing is a deeply immersive experience. When the words are flying, the house could be burgled and I wouldn't notice." William ...
