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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 Volpone
Act 3, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—The Renaissance Woman:
In Act 3, Scene 4, Volpone comes face to face with Lady Would-Be's flamboyant intellectualism. In one long chain of allusion, Would-Be fends off Volpone's attempt to dismiss her knowledge:
Volpone: The poet,
As old in time as Plato, and as knowing,
Says that your highest female grace is silence.Lady Would-Be: Which o’your poets? Petrarch? Or Tasso? or Dante?
Guarini? Ariosto? Aretine?
Cieco di Hadria? I have read them all.Volpone [aside]: Is everything a cause to my destruction?
Lady Would-Be: I think I ha’two or three of ‘em about me.
[…]
Lady Would-Be: Here’s Pastor Fido—
[…]
All our English writers,
I mean such as are happy in th’Italian,
Will deign to steal out of this author, mainly;
Almost as much as from Montagnié…
Related Themes:
Act 3, Scene 6
Explanation and Analysis—Ovid's Metamorphoses:
In Act 3, Scene 6, Volpone attempts to seduce Celia. In the grandest terms possible, he describes the wonders that would await her if she took his hand. Volpone anchors his flowery appeal in an allusion to the elaborate myths of the classical world:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Our drink shall be prepared gold and amber,
Which we will take until my roof whirl round
With the vertigo; and my dwarf shall dance,
My eunuch sing, my fool make up the antic.
Whilst we, in changèd shapes, act Ovid’s tales,
Thou like Europa now, and I like Jove,
Then I like Mars, and thou like Erycine;
So of the rest, till we have quite run through,
And wearied all the fables of the gods.
Then will I have thee in more modern forms,
Attirèd like some sprightly dame of France,
Brave Tuscan lady, or proud Spanish beauty;
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Volpone's Fated Threads:
In Act 5, Scene 3, Mosca and Volpone continue to toy with the suitors by faking Volpone's death. As Mosca begins to read the lengthy will without naming any of the suitors as an heir, Lady Would-Be bursts into the room, using an idiom to inquire about Volpone's fate:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[Enter Lady Would-Be.]
Lady Would-Be: Mosca!
Is his thread spun?Mosca: Eight chests of linen—
