Allusion Romeo and Juliet Definition Allusion an indirect

Allusion Romeo and Juliet

Definition � Allusion: “an indirect reference to a person, event, statement, or theme found in literature, the other arts, history, myths, religion, or popular culture” (11). � From: The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms

Examples � � � � � Cupid Diana Venus Lammas-eve King Cophetua Jove Echo Petrarch Dido Cleopatra � Thisbe � Queen Mab �

Queen Mab � � � From Celtic origin variation in the name: Mabh, Medb, and Maeve “mab” means “child” in Welsh “maeve” means “mead” “medb” means “drunken woman” in Celtic; a legendary Irish queen

Queen Mab

Queen Mab

Homework � Find an example of allusion in Romeo and Juliet or in another text. � Write a paragraph that explains what the term refers to and what you have felt about the discovery. � Cite the source at the bottom of the page. � Choose the topic by the end of next class (Friday, Feb. 10 th). � Due date: Wednesday, Feb. 15 th

Example Term: Queen Mab (Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene iv line 53) � Queen Mab is a figure from Celtic mythology. She is also called Queen Medb, Mabh, Maeve, and Medhbh, and each of these names reveals different aspect of her character. In Welsh, the word, “mab” means “child”; however, in Celtic, the same word means “Drunken Woman” and “Queen Wolf”. She is also known as a fierce warrior queen in Celtic tradition. � In addition, according to the source that I have found, Queen Mab “is the personification of the land itself and prosperity” and symbolizes “the fertility of Ireland”. �

Example (continued…) She is alluded in other literary texts such as “Nymphidia” by Michael Drayton, “Queen Mab: A Philosophical Poem” by Percy Bysshe Shelly, and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. � During the research, I was intrigued by the variations of her name and the corresponding meanings. It was interesting to learn that the meanings of her names (“child” and “Drunken Woman”) contradict each other. I think this contradiction reveals that Queen Mab exhibits two-sided characteristic and that she represents two opposing ideas—the child-like innocence and corruption. � Sources: � › Wikipedia › http: //web. me. com/barbara_lane/English 1/Class_Assignments_Project s_files/Queen%20 Mab%20 Information. pdf