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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
Key Examples in Titus Andronicus
Act 2, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Lucrece and Tarquin:
Throughout the play, multiple allusions are made to the historical rape of Lucrece (also known as Lucretia), a noblewoman living in ancient Rome. Titus Andronicus alludes to Lucrece's rape by Sextus Tarquinius (known as Tarquin) several times, as well as to her suicide and the gruesome parading of her body through the streets by her father in outrage at her violation. These references parallel Lavinia's story, adding some depth and context. The first of these allusions occurs in Act 2, Scene 1, when Aaron tells Tamora’s sons that they should rape Lavinia:
You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Dido and the Prince:
When Tamora and Aaron meet for a romantic rendezvous and revenge-planning session at the start of Act 2, Scene 3, Tamora makes an allusion by referring to herself as Dido and Aaron as the “wand’ring prince.” This moment foreshadows the couple’s unhappy end:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Tamora: And after conflict such as was supposed
The wand’ring prince and Dido once enjoyed
When with a happy storm they were surprised,
And curtained with a counsel-keeping cave,
We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms,
Our pastimes done, possess a golden slumber,
Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds
Be unto us as is a nurse’s song
Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—The Roman World:
Because the entirety of this play is set in Ancient Rome, characters are constantly alluding to prominent facets of Roman history and mythology, which aids in developing the world of the play for the audience. The various gods of the Roman pantheon are frequently invoked, as when Marcus begs “Apollo, Pallas, Jove, or Mercury” to help him discover the criminals who raped his niece. Likewise, classic myths—like the story of Prometheus and his eternal punishment for stealing the fire of the gods—are mentioned by characters in multiple offhand references, as Martius does in the passage below:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all this hole,
Which like a taper in some monument
Doth shine upon the dead man’s earthy cheeks
And shows the ragged entrails of this pit.
So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
When he by night lay bathed in maiden blood.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Ovid's Metamorphoses:
Ovid’s Metamorphoses is repeatedly alluded to in the play. In particular, the story of the rape of Philomela by Tereus in the sixth book of Metamorphoses is a recurring literary allusion in the drama. The first allusion to the rape of Philomela occurs in Act 2, Scene 3 when Aaron informs Tamora of Chiron and Demetrius’s plans to rape Lavinia:
Unlock with LitCharts A+This is the day of doom for Bassianus.
His Philomel must lose her tongue today,
Thy sons make pillage of her chastity
And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Ovid's Metamorphoses:
Ovid’s Metamorphoses is repeatedly alluded to in the play. In particular, the story of the rape of Philomela by Tereus in the sixth book of Metamorphoses is a recurring literary allusion in the drama. The first allusion to the rape of Philomela occurs in Act 2, Scene 3 when Aaron informs Tamora of Chiron and Demetrius’s plans to rape Lavinia:
Unlock with LitCharts A+This is the day of doom for Bassianus.
His Philomel must lose her tongue today,
Thy sons make pillage of her chastity
And wash their hands in Bassianus’ blood.
Related Themes:
Act 4, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Lucrece and Tarquin:
Throughout the play, multiple allusions are made to the historical rape of Lucrece (also known as Lucretia), a noblewoman living in ancient Rome. Titus Andronicus alludes to Lucrece's rape by Sextus Tarquinius (known as Tarquin) several times, as well as to her suicide and the gruesome parading of her body through the streets by her father in outrage at her violation. These references parallel Lavinia's story, adding some depth and context. The first of these allusions occurs in Act 2, Scene 1, when Aaron tells Tamora’s sons that they should rape Lavinia:
Unlock with LitCharts A+You must perforce accomplish as you may.
Take this of me: Lucrece was not more chaste
Than this Lavinia, Bassianus’ love.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis— Rash Virginius:
Although the grisly feast that precipitates the bloody climax of Titus Andronicus starts as a seemingly peaceful affair, the enmity between everyone present quickly rises to the surface. Titus is the first to break the illusion of peace. Rather than immediately and directly accusing Tamora’s sons of rape, however, he chooses to prolong his revelation of their crime by beginning in a roundabout manner, making an allusion to a famous case of sexual assault recorded by the Roman historian Livy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Titus: My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?
Saturninus: It was, Andronicus.
Titus: Your reason, mighty lord?
Saturninus: Because the girl should not survive her shame,
And by her presence still renew his sorrows.
Related Themes:
