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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
Key Examples in King Lear
Act 1, scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Parmenides' Postulate:
In King Lear, Lear’s first major mistake comes in Act 1, Scene 1, when he sternly rebukes his daughter Cordelia for failing to flatter him with a proclamation of her love. He can scarcely believe his ears when Cordelia refuses, again and again, to participate in the competition for her father’s love:
Lear: Nothing?
Cordelia: Nothing.
Lear: Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.
Cordelia: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth. I love your majesty
According to my bond, no more nor less.
Related Themes:
Act 2, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Cornwall's Godly Forehead:
In Act 2, Scene 2, as Cornwall and Kent verbally spar, Cornwall accuses Kent of being too blunt with his words. Kent responds in flowery language, embellishing his point with an elaborate simile to mock Cornwall:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Kent: Sir, in good faith, or in sincere verity,
Under th' allowance of your great aspect,
Whose influence, like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering Phoebus' front—Cornwall: What mean’st by this?
Kent: To go out of my dialect, which you discommend so much.
I know, sir, I am no flatterer. He that beguiled you in
A plain accent was a plain knave, which for my part I
Will not be, though I should win your displeasure to
Entreat me to ‘t.
Act 3, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—The Prophet Merlin:
In Act 3, Scene 2, the audience is treated to a dramatic prophecy offered by King Lear’s court Fool. As is typical for a Shakespearean fool by virtue of his outcast status in the court and his whimsical demeanor, the Fool is able to cut straight to the truth and even see directly into the future without fear of reprisal from Lear or other nobility. In this passage, he boldly alludes to an old legend:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[...] I’ll speak a prophecy ere I go:
When priests are more in word than matter,
When brewers mar their malt with water,
[…]
When usurers tell their gold i’ th’ field,
And bawds and whores do churches build—
Then shall the realm of Albion
Come to great confusion;
Then comes the time, who lives to see ‘t,
That going shall be used with feet.
This prophecy Merlin shall make, for I live before his time.
Related Themes:
Act 3, scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Roland & The Giant:
Whereas King Lear faces a genuine descent into raving madness, Edgar’s adopted persona of Poor Tom is only feigned insanity. At times, Edgar leans too far into his imitation and comes across—to humorous effect—as entirely nonsensical, as in this sequence from Act 3, Scene 4, which includes two strange allusions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Lear: Come, good Athenian.
Gloucester: No words, no words. Hush.
Edgar: Child Rowland to the dark tower came.
His word was still "Fie, foh, and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man."
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Demonic Name Dropping:
Throughout his feigned madness as Poor Tom, Edgar mutters a number of strange and demonic names. In Act 3, Scene 4, for instance, he says:
Unlock with LitCharts A+This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet. He begins at curfew and walks till the first cock. He gives the web and the pin, squints the eyes, and makes the harelip, mildews the white wheat, and hurts the poor creature of the earth.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Classical Philosophers:
In the chaos of the storm on the heath, Lear’s madness is matched only by the pretend madness of “Poor Tom”—Gloucester’s son Edgar in disguise. The crazed Lear grows something of an attachment to Poor Tom and professes to hold the man in high esteem:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Kent: Good my lord, take his offer; go into th' house.
Lear: I'll talk a word with this same learnèd Theban.—
What is your study?
[...]
With him! I will keep still with my philosopher.Kent [to Gloucester]: Good my lord, soothe him. Let him take the fellow.
Gloucester [to Kent]: Take him you on.
Kent [to Edgar]: Sirrah, come on. Go along with us.
Lear: Come, good Athenian.
Related Themes:
