Understanding Mythological Allusions

Allusions

"KOBE!"

Why might a student say this as he or she is throwing away a paper ball?

Why would a student specifically say "Kobe?"

"COVID!"

Someone says under his breath as he observes a woman cough at the grocery store.

Why would someone say that?

Both slides stated words that reference something or someone.

"Kobe" is a phrase that references famous basketball player, Kobe Bryant, and his skilled shooting form.

"COVID" is a phrase that references the Coronavirus, which has killed thousands of people, and is recognized for its symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

When a person is using a figure of speech to reference something without stating a definition outright, they are using an ALLUSION.

Multiple Choice

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING!

What is the key word in the definition of ALLUSION?

• Figure of Speech

• Reference

• Allusion

• Key Words

Allusions

Think of Allusions as inside jokes. You have to understand the reference to really understand what it might mean in a sentence.

There are many types of Allusions

• Historical - Referencing history

• Cultural - Referencing movies, music, and memories from a time period

• Shakespearean - Referencing plays and main characters within the plays written by William Shakespeare.

• Mythological - Referencing events, stories, or names from Greek myths and legends.

• Biblical - Referencing people and events from the Bible

• Literary - Referencing characters, events, or settings from classic literature (a select group of books that are seen as being above the rest).

Confused?

There are many types of Allusions, so you have to know how to figure out the reference.

Steps to Conquering Allusion:

1. Look up the word you don't know (it's generally capitalized as a proper noun).

2. Decide what type of Allusion it is based on the previous list.

3. Explain the meaning of the Allusions

"Well, I’m no Hercules, but I could open that jelly jar for you."

Example of an Allusion

Multiple Choice

Which of the words from the sentence is referencing something?

• Jelly jar

• I could open

• Hercules

Poll

Do you know what "Hercules" is referencing"

• YES!

• NO!

Steps to Conquering Allusion:

1. Look up the word you don't know (it's generally capitalized as a proper noun).

GOOGLE IT!

What or who is Hercules, and what does it mean?

Steps to Conquering Allusion:

1. Look up the word you don't know (it's generally capitalized as a proper noun).

2. Decide what type of Allusion it is based on the previous list.

3. Explain the meaning of the Allusions

Multiple Select

STEP 2:

Now checkmark what kind of allusion you think "Hercules" would be a reference of based on your Google search. (If you can't remember, go Google Hercules again!)

(Only 4 of the 6 are listed below)

• Historical

• Biblical

• Shakespearean

• Mythological

Steps to Conquering Allusion:

1. Look up the word you don't know (it's generally capitalized as a proper noun).

2. Decide what type of Allusion it is based on the previous list.

3. Explain the meaning of the Allusions

Multiple Choice

Therefore, what does it mean to say, "Well, I’m no Hercules, but I could open that jelly jar for you."

• I'm not super strong, but I will try to open the jar.

• Greek Mythology

• I am the strongest man alive!

Now, it's YOUR turn!!!!

Let's Think!

Look through the following TYPES of Allusions, and try to think of something YOU know about that could be referenced.

* Historical - something that happened in history.

* Cultural - movies, music, and memories from a time period

* Shakespearean - plays and main characters within the plays written by William Shakespeare.

* Mythological - events, stories, or names from Greek myths and legends.

* Biblical - people and events from the Bible

* Literary - characters, events, or settings from classic literature (a select group of books that are seen as being above the rest).

Open Ended

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING!

Type in one sentence that has an allusion:

Open Ended

What TYPE of Allusion did you use?

* Historical

* Cultural

* Shakespearean

* Mythological

* Biblical

* Literary

Open Ended

So....

Explain YOUR Allusion and what it referenced!

That's how you understand Allusions!