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AllusionstoKnowfortheAPLiteratureTest
ClassicalandMythological
Aeneas
• SonofAphrodite(goddessoflove)andAnchises,amemberofTrojan
royalty.PurporteddescendantofRomulusandRemus.
• LedtheTrojansurvivors(oftheTrojanWarbetweenGreeksand
Trojans)toItaly,thusbecomingthelegendaryfounderoftheRoman
people.
Agamemnon
• BrothertoMenelaus,whowasHelenofTroy’shusband;fatherto
Iphigenia,whomhesacrificedtoArtemis.
• LedtheGreeks’attackontheTrojanstorecoverHelen.
• Hiswife,Clytemnestra,plottedwithherlovertomurderAgamemnon
whenhereturnedfromtheTrojanWar.
• Hisdaughter,Electra,thenavengedhisdeathbykillinghermother,
Clytemnestra.
• The“Electracomplex”derivesfromElectra’sobsessionwithherfather
andkillingofhermother.
Acheron
• OneofthefiveriversoftheGreekunderworld.
• Knownasthe“riverofsorrowandpain.”
Achilles
• ThemostillustriousGreekwarriorintheGreekTrojanWar.
• Hismother,animmortalseanymph,counseledhimagainstgoingtothe
warbecausesheknewhewasfatedtodie.
• Mostlyinvulnerabletoinjury;however,hediedbyawoundtohisheel,
whichwashisonlyvulnerablebodypart,hencethetermofone’s
“Achilles’heel”asone’sultimateweaknessorvulnerability.
Adonis
• InGreekmythology,themortalloverofgoddessAphrodite.
• EtymologysuggestsheoriginatedfromaPheonicianGreekgodof
rebirthandvegetation.
• Adoredbywomenduetohisphysicalbeauty.
• An“Adonis,”therefore,istheprototypeforaveryhandsomeman.
Ajax
• OneofthebravestoftheGreekwarriorsinHomer’sIliad,thestoryof
theGreekandTrojanwars.
• Considereddullwitted,thushehasbecomeaprototypeofthestrong
butdumbfighter.
Amazons
• TribeofgreatwomenwarriorsinGreece,atonepointledbyHippolyta.
Aphrodite(Greek);
Venus(Roman)
• Goddessoflove.
• Consideredthemostbeautifulofallgoddesses.
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Apollo
• SonofZeusandLeto.
• Thesungodorgodoflight;godofprophecy,healing,music,and
protectoroftheherds.
• TwintoArtemis.
Ares(Greek);
Mars(Roman)
• AreswastheGreekgodofwarandbattle,whileMarswastheRoman
godofstrategyandwisdom.
• Representdestruction,violence,andbrutality.
Artemis(Greek);
Diana(Roman)
• Goddessoffertility,virginity,thehunt,childbirth,andthemoon.
Athena(Greek);
Pallas‑Athena;
Minerva(Roman)
• Goddessofwarandwisdom.
• DaughterofZeus;sprangfullgrownoutofhishead.
Aurora(Roman)
• Goddessofthedawn.
• Representsdaybreak.
Bacchus(Roman);
Dionysus(Greek)
• Godofwine,fertility,insanity,festivity,andtheatre.
• Associatedwithfertilityrites,orgies,andbytheMiddleAges,
associatedwithSatanicritualsandwitchcraft.
Basilisk;
Cockatrice
• RomanmythologicalcreatureconsideredtheKingoftheSerpents.
• Hadacrestorcombonhishead(likearooster)andheldhimself
upright.
• Couldkillmerelybylookingattheobjectitdesiredtokill(“iflooks
couldkill”).
Cassandra
• DaughterofPriam,theKingofTroy.
• ProphesiedtheGreekconquest,thedestructionofTroy,andherown
death.
• UnwillingmistressofAgamemnon;bothwerekilledbyClytemnestra.
• Representstheideaofprophesyingdoom.
Cerberus
• InGreekmythology,amonstrousdogthatguardedtheentranceto
Hades.
• Oftendepictedwithmultipleheads.
Ceres(Roman);
Demeter(Greek)
• Goddessoffertility,sacredlaw,andthecycleoflifeanddeath;often
associatedwithgrain.
• MotherofPersephone.
Charon
• Theboatmanwhoferriesthesoulsofthedeadtotheunderworld.
• Thedeadmustarrivewithcoinstopaytheferrytolltocrossthe
river(s),ortheywillbestuckbetweenthetworealmsforeternity
(hencetheimportanceofburialritualsinancientGreekculture).
• Thesecoinsshouldbeplacedunderthetongueorontheeyesofthe
deadbeforeburialtopayCharonforhisservices.
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Circe
• IntheOdyssey,enchantressandlovertoOdysseus.
• A“Siren”orseductress.
• Knownforherabilitytotransformpeopleintoanimals,e.g.pigs.
Cupid(Roman);
Eros(Greek)
• SontoAphroditeandAres.
• Godoflove,desire,andaffection.
• Portrayedasblind,asin,“loveisblind.”
• MarriedPsyche,amortalwhobecame“goddessofthesoul.”
Daphne
• InGreekmythology,anymphandadaughterofarivergodPeneus.
• CupidcursedApollotobecomeobsessedwithher.
• TopreservehervirginityandavoidApollo’sunwantedadvances,she
beggedherfathertotransformherintoalaureltree.
• ThistreebecamesacredtoApolloduetohisobsessionwithDaphne;
thus,evergreenlaurelwreathsbecamecommonsignsofreverenceand
honor.
Dido
• QueenofCarthageandlovertoAeneas(founderofRome)inthe
Aeneid.
• Theirloveendedtragicallywhenhebetrayedherwithanotherwoman.
• Shekilledherselfandreunitedwithherprevioushusbandinthe
underworld.
• Oftenassociatedwithsuicidebyswordandburningpyres.
Elysium;
TheElysianFields
• Partoftheunderworld/Hadeswheretheheroicandnoblespend
eternity.
• ClosestGreekparalleltoChristianconceptofheaven.
Epicurus
• Greekphilosopherwhobelievedmanshouldseekpleasureby
attemptingtoachievepeaceandtranquilityofspiritthroughasimple
life.
• Some,however,corruptedhisphilosophybyreducingittotheconcept
ofjustlivinginthemomentand/orseekingmerephysicalpleasure.
• Adjective:Epicurean
Eros(Greek);
Cupid(Roman)
• Godoflove.
TheFates
• Threeweavinggoddesseswhoassignindividualdestinies/fatesto
mortalsatbirth.
• Originallycalledthe“Morai”inancientGreek.
• WieldedimmensepowerthatnotevenZeuscouldundo.
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TheFuries;
TheErinyes;
Eumenides;
Semnai
• Threegoddessesofvengeanceandretribution:“anger,”“jealousy,”and
“avenger.”
• Punishedmenforcrimesagainstnaturalorderand/ordefianceofpublic
justice.
• Relatedtothemodernideaofconscience.
• HelpeddoleoutpunishmentsinHades.
TrojanHorse
• Alarge,hollowwoodenhorsethattheGreekarmyleftatthegatesof
Troy.Thinkingitwasapeaceoffering,theTrojansbroughtitintothe
city;thefollowingnight,Greeksoldierswhohadhiddeninsidethe
hollowhorsesprangouttokilltheTrojans.
• Frequentlyalludedtoinsituationswhereaseeminglybenignfacade
tricksafoeintoinvitingdangerintocloserange.
Hades(Greek);
Pluto(Roman)
• Godoftheunderworld.
• MarriedtoPersephone.
• Alsosometimesdoublesasanameforhisrealm,theunderworld.
Hecate(Greek)
• Goddessoftheunderworld,witchcraft,magic,andnight;also
associatedwiththemoon,ghosts,andnecromancy.
• AdvisorandcompaniontoPersephonewhensheisinHades.
• Seemsabletoroamrealmsoflifeanddeathfreelyandisthus
associatedwithboundariesandtransitionalplaces.
Hector
• SonofKingPriamofTroy.
• GreatTrojanwarrior,seenasvirtuousandhonorable.
• KilledbyAchilles;knownforbeingdeniedaproperburialfortwelve
days.
HelenofTroy
• Consideredthemostbeautifulwomanintheworldwitha“facethat
launchedathousandships.”
• Hadmanysuitors;marriedKingMenelausofSparta.
• KidnappedbyParis,thesonofKingPriamofTroy;theGreekspursued
them,thusstartingtheTrojanWar.
Hymen(Greek)
• Godofweddings,receptions,andmarriage.
Iphigenia
• DaughterofAgamemnonandClytemnestra.
• Herfather,Agamemnon,willinglysacrificedhertoArtemisinreturn
forpassageoverseastofightagainstTroyintheTrojanWar.
• Artemistookpityonthegirlandsavedher,afterwhichshebecamea
priestessofArtemis.
Isis
• Egyptiangoddessoftheearth.
• MarriedtoOsiris,Egyptiangodofdeath,afterlife,resurrection,life,
etc.
• Together,theyrepresentedlife,death,andrebirth.
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Juno(Roman);
Hera(Greek)
• ChiefgoddessandwifeofPluto/Zeus.
• Goddessofchildbirthandgoodcounsel.
Jupiter(Roman);
Zeus(Greek)
• KingofthegodsandhusbandofJuno/Hera.
• Godoftheskyandthunder;oftenknownforhisproclivityforhaving
affairs.
Lethe
• OneofthefiveriversoftheGreekunderworld.
• Knownasthe“riverofoblivionandforgetfulness,”fromwhichthe
deadshoulddrinkinordertoforgettheirpreviousearthlylivesin
preparationforpossiblereincarnation.
Mars(Roman);
Ares(Greek)
• AreswastheGreekgodofwarandbattle,whileMarswastheRoman
godofstrategyandwisdom.
• Representsdestruction,violence,andbrutality.
Medea
• Greeksorceress,priestessofHecate,exprincessofColchis,and
granddaughterofsungodHelios.
• Marriedthehero,JasontheArgonaut,andhelpedhimretrievethe
GoldenFleece.
• Helaterbetrayedherwithanotherprincess,CreusaofCorinth.
• Togetrevengeonherhusband,Medeakillsherowntwosonsshe
shareswithJason,aswellashismistressand(indirectly)Creusa’s
father.
Midas
• MythicalGreekking,offeredanywishhewantedbythegodDionysus;
Midaschosetheabilitytoturneverythinghetouchedtogold.
• Afterthewaterhewastryingtodrinkandthedaughterhewastryingto
embraceturnedtogold,Midasrealizedhis(greedy)mistakeandasked
thegodsto“rescind”thewish.
• “TheMidastouch”or“goldentouch”comesfromthismyth.
Muses
• GrecoRomangoddessesofthearts.
• Providedinspirationtoallartists,musicians,poets,etc.
Narcissus
• BeautifulGreekyouth,sonofarivergodandanymph.
• Fellinlovewithhisownreflectionuponseeingitinwater.
• Commitssuicideoutofanguishbecausehecouldnotreachthis
belovedwhomheworshiped—hisownreflection.
• Representsdangersofvanityandconceit.
Neptune(Roman);
Poseidon(Greek)
• Godoftheseas.
• BrothertoJupiter/ZeusandPluto/Hades.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 6/12
Odysseus(Greek);
Ulysses(Roman)
• LegendarykingofIthaca,Greece.
• HeroofHomer’sTheOdyssey;alsoappearsinTheIliad.
• GreatwarriorduringthewaragainsttheTrojans.
• Wanderedintomanyadventuresafterthewartryingtoreturnhometo
faithfulwife,Penelope,hencetheuseoftheterm“Odyssey”asanepic
orlongjourney.
Olympus
• MountaininGreecethatishometogodsandgoddesses.
Orpheus
• Greekgodofmusic.
• MadeadealwithHadestoresurrecthislover,Eurydice,ifheleavesthe
underworldwithoutlookingbacktochecksheisfollowinghim.
• Hecannotresistlookingback,andsheremainstrappedinthe
underworld.
Osiris
• Egyptiangodofdeath,afterlife,resurrection,life,etc.
• MarriedtoIsis.
Pandora/Pandora’s
Box
• BeautifulGreekwomanofmanycharmsor“gifts.”
• Shewasgivenaboxfilledwithevilthingsandtoldnevertoopenit,
butshedidopenit,thusreleasingallevilsintotheworld;however,
hopealsodweltintheboxwhichshereleased.
• SheisanalogousinbiblicalmythtoEve(knowledgeofgoodandevil).
Paris
• SonofPriam,KingofTroy.
• Dependingonthetranslation,eitherkidnapsorrescuesHelenfromher
husband,Menelaus,thusstartingtheGreekandTrojanwars.

Persephone
(Roman);
Prosepine(Greek)
• DaughterofZeusandDemeter;wifeofHades.
• Queen/goddessoftheunderworldandgoddessoffertility.
• DwellswithHadesintheunderworldduringwinterandonearthwith
hermotherinthegrowingandharvestingseasons..
• Representsthechangingofseasonsandthelifeanddeaththat
correspond.
Phoenix
• Alargemythicalbirdrepresentingdeathandrebirth;whenitburnedto
death,anewbirdroseoutofthedeadbird’sashes.
Pluto(Roman);
Hades(Greek)
• Godoftheunderworld.
• HusbandtoProsepine;brothertoJupiterandNeptune.
Posiedon(Greek);
Neptune(Roman)
• Godoftheseas.
• BrothertoZeus/JupiterandHades/Pluto.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 7/12
Prometheus
• TitantrickstertaskedbyZeustocreatemanfrommud.
• Cametolovehiscreation,man,sohetrickedZeusandstolefirefrom
thegodstogivetohumans.
• Forthis,hewaspunishedbybeingtiedtoarockandhavingbirdsdaily
eatouthisliver,whichregreweachnight,onlytobeeatenagain.
Psyche
• MortalwhomarriedCupidandbecameGreekgoddessofthesoul.
• BeautywassaidtorivalthatofAphrodite.
Satyrs
• Mythologicalcreature:halfgoat/halfman.
• Forestdwelleralongsidenymphs,etc.
• Associatedwithlustfulness.
• LaterassociatedwithSatanicimagery.
Styx
• OneofthefiveriversoftheGreekunderworld.
• Knownas“theriverofhatredandunbreakableoaths.”
Sisyphus
• ThefounderandkingofCorinthwhocheateddeathtwice.
• Aspunishment,hemustrollaboulderupahill,onlyfortheboulderto
rolldownwhenitnearsthetop,repeatingthiscycleforeternity.
• Tasksthatare“Sisyphean”areusuallyasfutileastheyarelaborious.
Tartarus
• Deepestpartoftheunderworld,ruledbyHades.
• TheplaceofeternalpunishmentforGreekswhocommittedtheworst
ofcrimesonearth.
• PartoftheunderworldthatparallelstheChristianconceptofhell.
Tiresias
• BlindprophetofThebes,knownforhisaccurateandtragicprophecies,
especiallythosesurroundingOedipusandthehouseofCadmus.
Venus(Roman);
Aphrodite(Greek)
• Goddessoflove.
• Consideredthemostbeautifulofallgoddesses.
Zeus(Greek);
Jupiter(Roman)
• Kingofthegods;godofthunderandthesky.
• BrothertoHades/PlutoandPoseidon/Neptune.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 8/12
BiblicalAllusions
OldTestament:
Adam,Eve,the
Serpent,andthe
GardenofEden
• AdamandEvewerethefirstmanandwomancreatedbyGodandthey
livedintheidyllic,perfectplace—theGardenofEden.
• Theyweretolivethereinharmonyforeverunlesstheybroketherule
prohibitingthemfromeatingtheforbiddenfruitofthetreeofknowledge.
• ASerpentinthegardentemptedEvetoeatthefruit;shethengavethe
fruittoAdam.ThissinfulactgetsthemexiledfromEden.
• AdamispunishedwithhavingtofarmandEveisforcedtobearchildren;
andbothmustfacetheirownmortality.
• Meanttoexplainthehardshipsandmortalityofhumanity.
• TheSerpentstartsasarepresentationoftemptationofsinandtakeson
theconnotationofevilandeventuallybecomesasymbolofthedevil.
CainandAbel
• AdamandEve’sfirsttwochildren,bothsons.
• CainwasjealousofAbelbecauseGodfoundfavorwithAbel’ssacrifice
toHimbutdidnotfindfavorwithCain’ssacrifice.
• Outofjealousy,CainkilledAbel,committingthefirstmurder.
• WhenGodcomeslookingforAbel,Cainprofessesthatheisnot“his
brother’skeeper.”GodpunishesCain,makeshislandinfertile,andCain
becomesawanderer.
• The“markofCain”canbeinterpretedintwowaysBiblically:eithera
markthatdesignatesshame,oronethatdesignatesgod’sprotection.A
third(unfortunateandracist)interpretationthatpopularizedinEurope
severalcenturiesbackisthatthemarkofCainwasacursethatturned
someofhumanitydarkskinned,sothatCain’sdescendantscouldbe
recognizedonsight.
Noah,hisark,and
theflood
• GodwarnedNoahthathewoulddestroytheEarthwithaflood(rainfor
40daysandnights)toridtheworldofevilpeople.
• HeinstructedNoahtobuildagiantboat(anark)thatwouldkeepNoah
andhisfamily,aswellastwoofeveryanimalonearth(torepopulate),
safelyafloatuntilthefloodreceded.
• WhentherainsendedNoahsentadoveouteverydayuntilitreturned
withanoliveleaf—asignthatthewatershadrecededandNoahandhis
familycouldsafelyemerge.Hencethedoveandoliveleafbecome
symbolsofhope.
• Anothercommonterm,“antediluvian”—whichmeans“beforethe
flood”—alsoreferstothisstory.Somethingthatis“antediluvian”is
hyperbolicallyold.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 9/12
Moses
• PharaohhadorderedthedeathofallnewbornHebrewmaleinfants,so
Moses’parentsputhiminabasketandsenthimdowntheriverhopingto
sparehislife.
• Pharaoh’sdaughterfoundthebaby,adoptedhim,andraisedhimatcourt.
• Mosesgrowsup,alwaysfeelingakinshipwiththeHebrewslaves,
leadinghimtoeventuallytakeactiontoprotecthisfellowHebrews.
• AfterPharaohlearnsofthisbetrayal,MosesmustfleetoSinai,wherehe
firstencountersGodintheformofaburningbushwhichrevealsto
MosesthattheGodoftheIsraelitesseesHispeoplesufferingandhas
cometohelpthemthroughMosesandhisbrotherAaron.
• The“burningbush,”therefore,becomesasymbolofasignfromGod.
• MosesandAaronfirsttrytoreasonwithPharaoh.Whenthatdoesn’t
work,GodsendsplaguesandpestilencetoEgypttoforcePharaoh’s
hand.WhenthefirstbornofeveryEgyptianfamilydiesinthenight,
Pharaohfinallyrelents.
• AsMosesandAaronareleadingtheHebrewsoutofEgypt(theExodus),
Pharaohattemptstoattack,butGodallowsMosestoparttheRedSea
andtheIsraelitescrosssafelyoutofEgypt.Pharaoh’sarmydrownedas
thewatersclosedbehindGod’schosenpeople.
• AlsoreceivedtheTenCommandmentsfromGodandsupposedlywrote
thefirstfivebooksoftheOldTestament.
SampsonandDelilah
• SampsonwasapowerfuljudgeofIsraelandphysicallystrongman
whoselonghair(thathadneveroncebeencut)wasthesourceofhis
powerandstrength.
• ConspiringwithIsrael’senemiesthePhilistines,Delilahseduced
Sampsonandgothimtorevealthesecretofhispower.
• Shethencuthishair,strippinghimofhispower,andthePhilistines
capturedhim.
DavidandGoliath
• David:youngestsonofaprosperousfarmerfromBethlehem.
• DestinedtobekingoftheIsraelites.
• GainedfamebeforehisreignforbeatingGoliath,thegiantwho
representedthePhilistines,inoneononecombat.
• Thusa“DavidandGoliath”situationisoneinwhichtheunderdog
succeedsindefeatingtheenemygiant.
Jezebel
• PhoenicianprincesswhomarriedAhab.
• PriestessofBaal(falsegod)whoconvincedAhabtoabandonthe
HebrewGodforworshipofBaal.
• Forherpraiseoffalseprophetsandpaganideology,shewasthrown
fromthewindowofherpalaceandstraydogsfeduponherflesh.
• A“jezebel”becameaprototypeforawickedwomanand,inlater
literature,morespecificallyaprostitute.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 10/12
Job
• ProsperousandmorallyupstandingJewblessedwithmanychildren
andwealth.
• SatanchallengedGod,statingthatJobwasonlyagoodmanbecause
Godhadblessedhim.
• GodallowsSatantostripJobofallhisprosperity—hisjob,hisfamily,
hiswealth.
• Job,however,neverfaltersandbelievesinGod’swillandknowledge.
• Jobis,therefore,rewardedforhisfaithbyhavingallthatwastaken
fromhimrestored.
• Jobbecametheprototypeforpatienceinthemidstofsuffering.
Jonah
• HebrewprophetwhomGodcommandedtotraveltoacityandwarn
themofGod’scomingpunishmentiftheydon’tceasethe“great
wickedness.”
• Notwantingtodeliverthebadnews,Jonahtriedinvaintohidefrom
God.
• GodhassailorsthrowJonahoverboard,atwhichpointheis
swallowedbya“largefish”(orwhale),wherehestayedforthreedays
untilGodcommandedthatthefishspewhimout.
• JonahthendidthetaskGodhadassignedhim,andthepeoplehe
warnedrepented.
DanielandtheLion’s
Den
• HebrewboycapturedbyBabylonians.
• DreaminterpreterandvisionaryinBabyloniancourt;gained
popularity.
• WhenPersiaconqueredBabylon—whichhehadpredicted—Daniel
wasgivenruleofthenewlyconqueredlands.
• ThismadeotherPersianleadersjealous,sotheyplottedagainsthim,
andaccusedhimofprayingtotheGodoftheHebrews.
• Theythrewhimintoaden/pitofhungrylions,butanangelkeptthe
lions’mouthsclosedtoprotectthedevoutDaniel.
• Afterwards,thosewhoconspiredagainsthim,alongwiththeirwives
andchildren,werethrowntothelionsanddevoured.
NewTestament:
Gardenof
Gethsemane
• ThegardeninJerusaleminwhichJesussufferedthe“agonyinthe
Garden”andwasarrestedthenightbeforehiscrucifixion.
• Oftenreferencedasaplaceofgreat,painfulcontemplationwherein
oneeventuallygainsastrongerperspectivethroughtheirownmental
anguish.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 11/12
KingHerod
• FirstRomanappointedkingofJudea.
• PracticedJudaism,butnotconsidered“Jewish”bytherestofJudea’s
citizenry,andthereforeunpopularamongsthispeople.
• UponhearingfromtheWiseMenthatthe“kingoftheJews”hadbeen
borninBethlehem,heorderedforallboysagedtwoandundertobe
killedtoeliminateanycompetitiontohispositionofpower(knownas
theMassacreoftheInnocents).
• Inmedievalliterature,Herodisdepictedascruelandtyrannical
becauseofhiseffortstokillinfantJesus.
• Thephrase“tooutHerodHerod”meanstoactinanextremelycruel
andtyrannicalmanner.
JesusChrist
● ThecentralfigureofChristianity,believedbymostdenominationsto
betheSonof(theHebrew)Godandthe(mortal)VirginMary.
● BorntoMaryandJosephinamangerinBethlehem.
● Carpenterbytrade(likehis“father”Joseph);bestknownasa
preacher,aphilosopher,ahealer,andasocialreformer.
● BelievedtobetheMessiahsentbyGodtosavethepeopleofthe
Jewishfaith,asGod’schosenpeople.
● Jesus’crucifixionisconsideredasacrificetosavethesoulsofGod’s
chosenpeople;therefore,allusionstoJesususuallyreferencea
characterwhomakespersonalsacrificesinorderto“save”others,
literallyormetaphorically.
● TheChrist/saviorfigureisaprolificcharactertypeinmostgenresof
literature.
JudasIscariot
• Oneofthe12disciples/apostlesofJesus.
• NotoriousforbetrayingJesuswhichledtothecrucifixion:
• AgroupofpriestsweresearchingforJesustohavehimexecuted
forclaimingtobetheMessiah.
• JudasmadeadealthathewouldleadtheprieststoJesusand
identifyhimbykissinghimonthecheek,inexchangefor30
piecesofsilver.
• Jesusisthusapprehendedandlatercrucified.
• Helaterrepentsandhangshimselfinremorse.
• Allusionsoftenpointoutakissofbetrayalforasmallpayout,making
himaprototypeforacharacterwho“sellsout”orbetrayslovedones
forselfgain.
5/27/2021 Allusions(PROOFED)-GoogleDocs
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175Afrg-oSRHj0LEogUz12s5Kmhw5PNoqGB8l0iIu66c/edit 12/12
PontiusPilate
• RomanofficialwhogovernedJudeaandpresidedoverJesus’trialand
crucifixion.
• Thoughhefirstattemptedtoconvincethecrowdcallingforexecution
thatJesusshouldbereleased,theywouldnotrelent,andhegaveinto
theirdemands.
• Pilate,therefore,triestodenyanypersonalresponsibilityforJesus’
deathbywashinghishandsinfrontofthecrowdtosignalhis
innocenceintheproceedings.
• AllusionsoftenreferencePilate’srefusaltoacceptresponsibilityand
theproverbial“washingofhands”asasymbolofdenyingany
responsibility,ingeneral.
Satan
• Afterhisbaptism(NewTestament),Jesusroamedthedesertfor40
daystofastandpray.HeencounteredtheDevil(Satan)andwithstood
Satan’stemptationtosin.
• IntheOldTestament,the“Serpent”isadeceptiveadversarywho
convincespeopletostrayfromGod.
• IntheNewTestament,however,thischaracterbecomesmalevolent
andisoftenidentifiedasSatan,ademonicfigurewhoseintentisto
destroyhumanity.
• InChristiantradition,thischaracterwasoriginallyanangel,Lucifer,
whorebelledagainstGodandwasejectedfromHeaven.
• HethenevolvesintothecentralvillainoftheChristianfaith,with
Hellashisdomain.