Hamlet Mythological Allusions

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Le 1 Vinh Le Mrs. Cunningham English 12 28 October 2012 Hamlet mythological allusions Shakespeare’s plays are full of allusions from the Bible and the Greeks and Romans. Allusions from Shakespeare are also frequently found in literature. An allusion is a literary device that refers to something that the reader already knows. It allows the author to use that knowledge to add greater meaning to what he is saying without going into long explanations. Here are the summarizes of these gods/goddesses/characters from Greek and Roman mythology: From ACT II: Aeneas - founder of Rome who made love to Dido then abandoned her (II.ii.443). Aeneas, son of Anchises and Aphrodite, was a Trojan prince who married Creusa, the daughter of King Priam. Fleeing from the defeated city of Troy, Aeneas was separated from his wife. He set sail for Italy. During a seven year voyage he took refuge in Carthage but declined offers of marriage and the throne from Queen Dido. He sailed onwards, eventually reaching Italy and founding the city of Rome. Dido - Carthaginian queen who was seduced by Aeneas who then left her (II.ii.443) Priam - king of Troy who was killed by Pyrrus (II.ii.444). Priam, the last King of Troy, twice witnessed the destruction of the city. The first time was when Heracles sought revenge after Laomedon failed to honour a promise made to the hero. The second time was as a result of the Trojan war. Priam was humiliated during the siege of Troy when he had to beg Achilles for the return of the body of his favorite son, Hector. When Troy was sacked, Priam was killed on the altar of Zeus by Pyrrhus (Neoptolemus), the son of Achilles. Cyclops - one-eyed giant from ancient Greek mythology (II.ii.486) Le 2 Mars - Roman god of war (II.ii.487) Hecuba - wife of Priam, the king

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