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Alliteration
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Act 1, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Neptune:
The atmosphere of the first scene of Hamlet is tense and ominous. The characters assembled on battlements of Elsinore are spooked by their vision of a ghost, and their dialogue is reflective of their fear and their sense of alarm. In a conversation with Barnardo in Act 1, Scene 1, Horatio makes an allusion to the god Neptune:
The moist star,
Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands,
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse
Act 1, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Nemean Lion:
In Act 1, Scene 4, Hamlet is out on the battlements with Horatio and Marcellus when, at midnight, the ghost returns. The ghost is trying to communicate with Hamlet, but when Hamlet moves to follow it, his friends object. In response, Hamlet makes an allusion to Greek mythology:
Unlock with LitCharts A+My fate cries out
And makes each petty arture in this body
As hardy as the Nemean lion’s nerve.
Still I am called. Unhand me, gentlemen.
By heaven, I’ll make a ghost of him that lets me!
I say, away!—Go on. I’ll follow thee.
Act 1, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Saint Patrick:
In Act 1, Scene 5, the ghost reveals the story of his grisly death to Hamlet, providing, through his appearance, an ominous vision for the rest of the play. Immediately after, Hamlet’s friends find him on the battlements and ask what has transpired. Hamlet refuses to give them any information, and his speech is wild and confusing. When Horatio tries to pretend that Hamlet hasn’t offended him, Hamlet responds with an allusion to Saint Patrick, the saint of purgatory:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, And much offense, too. Touching this vision here, It is an honest ghost—that let me tell you.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Jephthat:
In Act 2, Scene 2, during a conversation with Polonius, Hamlet alludes to Jephthah, an important biblical figure:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Hamlet: O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!
Polonius: What a treasure had he, my lord?
Hamlet: Why,
One fair daughter, and no more,
The which he loved passing well.Polonius: (aside) Still on my daughter.
Hamlet: Am I not i’ th’ right, old Jephthah?
Related Themes:
Act 3, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Julius Caesar:
In Act 3, Scene 2, most of the characters gather before the players put on their performance for the King and assembled crowd. It is a significant scene, a major contributor to the rising sense of tension, and as the characters mill about beforehand, their interactions give an indication of what is to come. Though the conversations appear casual, each character’s motivations drive them to engage with each other and ultimately have important repercussions. Hamlet and Polonius greet each other first, and Hamlet is purposefully inscrutable, confusing Polonius and Ophelia. Hamlet asks Polonius to confirm that he was an actor in his youth, and then he continues his line of questioning:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Hamlet: What did you enact?
Polonius: I did enact Julius Caesar. I was killed i’ th’ Capitol. Brutus killed me.
Act 5, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Cain:
In Act 5, Scene 1, back in Denmark, Hamlet meets Horatio at a graveyard. They witness a conversation between gravediggers and then watch as one of them sings as he continues to dig. Horatio and Hamlet are affected by this scene, and by how carefree the digger appears to be. When the gravedigger throws a skull out of the grave, Hamlet says:
Unlock with LitCharts A+That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground as if ‘twere Cain’s jawbone, that did the first muder! This might be the pate of a politician which this ass now o’erreaches, one that would circumvent God, might it not?
