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Literary Devices
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—Changelings:
After the Earl of Westmorland reports on the achievements of his son Henry Percy (nicknamed “Hotspur”) in a recent battle against the Scottish troops led by Douglas, King Henry IV alludes to a well-known figure from European folklore: the changeling. Lamenting his own son’s poor behavior and bad reputation, the King states:
Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him,
See riot and dishonor stain the brow
Of my young Harry. O, that it could be proved
That some night-tripping fairy had exchanged
In cradle-clothes our children where they lay,
And called mine “Percy,” his “Plantagenet”!
Then would I have his Harry, and he mine.
But let him from my thoughts.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—The Crusades :
In the opening scene of Henry IV Part 1, Shakespeare alludes to the Crusades, a series of European military campaigns that, from the 11th to 15th century, aimed to gain control of the “Holy Land”—that is, the area around Jerusalem. Giving a speech to the nobles at court, King Henry IV states:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Forthwith a power of English shall we levy,
Whose arms were molded in their mothers’ womb
To chase these pagans in those holy fields
Over whose acres walked those blessèd feet
Which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed
For our advantage on the bitter cross
Related Themes:
Act 1, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Pilgrimage to Canterbury :
In Act 1, Scene 2, Poins—a companion and confidante of Prince Hal—alludes to the common medieval practice of religious pilgrimage as well as a number of real locations in and around the city of London. He meets up with the wayward Prince and his mentor Falstaff in a disreputable tavern and presents his plan to rob religious pilgrims of their money:
Unlock with LitCharts A+But, my lads, my lads, tomorrow morning, by
four o’clock early at Gad’s Hill, there are pilgrims
going to Canterbury with rich offerings, and traders
riding to London with fat purses. I have vizards for
you all. You have horses for yourselves. Gadshill lies
tonight in Rochester. I have bespoke supper tomorrow
night in Eastcheap. We may do it as secure as
sleep. If you will go, I will stuff your purses full of
crowns. If you will not, tarry at home and be
Hanged
Act 4, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Like Sacrifices :
Henry IV Part 1 concludes with the bloody Battle of Shrewsbury, during which the forces led by Hotspur and the King finally draw swords on the battlefield. Sir Richard Vernon, an ally of Hotspur and the other rebels, notes that King Henry’s troops have arrived for battle in full armor and military regalia and, impressed, he describes Prince Hal as a “feathered Mercury” in an allusion to the Roman god. Hotspur, however, insists that he is not intimidated by their display, comparing them in a simile to live human sacrifices:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Let them come.
They come like sacrifices in their trim,
And to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war
All hot and bleeding will we offer them.
The mailèd Mars shall on his altar sit
Up to the ears in blood. I am on fire
To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh
And yet not ours. Come, let me taste my horse,
Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt
Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales.
Related Themes:
