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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 2
Explanation and Analysis—Jeptha's Daughter:
In the second scene of Act 1, Hellena tells Willmore that whoever wants to be with her will have to storm a convent, as she is due to become a nun after Carnival. Willmore responds with delight, alluding to the Book of Judges and creating a paradox in his assertion that this makes him even more convinced that they will have sex:
A nun! Oh how I love thee for’t! There’s no sinner like a young saint – nay now there’s no denying me, the old law had no curse (to a woman) like dying a maid; witness Jephtha’s daughter.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Cupid:
In the second scene of Act 1, Blunt and Frederick make fun of Belvile for being in love with Florinda—and in particular for letting a woman have so much control over his life and wellbeing. Alluding to the Roman god Cupid, Blunt compares his and Frederick's feelings for women to Belvile's feelings for Florinda:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[...] our Cupids are like the cooks of the camp, they can roast or boil a woman, but they have none of the fine tricks to set ’em off, no hogoes to make the sauce pleasant and the stomach sharp.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Venus:
In the second scene of Act 2, Willmore alludes to the goddess Venus as he tries to convince Hellena to have sex with him:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I find you’ll be better acquainted with it, nor can you take it in a better time; for I am come from sea, child, and Venus not being propitious to me in her own element: I have a world of love in store – would you would be good-natured and take some on’t off my hands.
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Act 2, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Cupid:
In the second scene of Act 1, Blunt and Frederick make fun of Belvile for being in love with Florinda—and in particular for letting a woman have so much control over his life and wellbeing. Alluding to the Roman god Cupid, Blunt compares his and Frederick's feelings for women to Belvile's feelings for Florinda:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[...] our Cupids are like the cooks of the camp, they can roast or boil a woman, but they have none of the fine tricks to set ’em off, no hogoes to make the sauce pleasant and the stomach sharp.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Hymen:
In the first scene of Act 5, it seems like something will finally come of the lengthy, back and forth seduction game that Hellena and Willmore have been engaged in throughout the play. Refusing to have sex with him before they get married, Hellena proposes to Willmore with an allusion to the Greek god Hymen:
Unlock with LitCharts A+’Tis but getting my consent, and the business is soon done; let but old Gaffer Hymen and his priest say amen to’t, and I dare lay my mother’s daughter by as proper a fellow as your father’s son, without fear or blushing.
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