Literary Allusions

The 10 Plagues of Egypt

The ten calamities that, according to the Bible, God inflicted upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. These plagues included turning water into blood, the invasion of frogs, and the death of the firstborn.

Quixotic

foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals

Don Quixote

a novel by Miguel de Cervantes that follows the adventures of a man who becomes enamored with chivalry and sets out to revive it, often leading to humorous and absurd situations.

Aeneas

a Trojan hero in Virgil's "Aeneid," known for his journey to Italy and founding of Rome.

Heracles and the Nemean Lion

a myth in which Heracles must slay a fearsome lion as one of his twelve labors, known for its invulnerability.

Hyperion

a Titan in Greek mythology, often associated with light and father of Helios, Selene, and Eos. Drives his chariot daily across the sky and returned to the east each night

Kafkaesque

describing absurd or nightmarish situations, often characterized by a disorienting sense of helplessness and illogical complexity.

Sword of Damocles

a symbolic representation of impending doom or danger, often illustrating the precariousness of power and the burden of leadership. (sword hanging over head)

Prodigal Son

a biblical parable about forgiveness and redemption, illustrating the journey of a wayward son who squanders his inheritance but is welcomed back by his father.

Malapropism

the humorous misuse of a word by confusion with a similar-sounding word, often resulting in a nonsensical or absurd expression. (Think ameliabadilia)

Pandora’s box

a source of unforeseen troubles or problems, stemming from a myth where Pandora opens a container releasing all evils into the world, leaving only hope inside.

David and Goliath

a story of an underdog overcoming a much stronger opponent, originating from the biblical tale where young David defeats the giant Goliath with a slingshot.

Patience of Job

the ability to endure difficult circumstances without frustration, derived from the biblical story of Job, who remained steadfast in his faith despite immense suffering. (God takes away his wealth, family, etc)

Albatross Around One’s Neck

a burden or ongoing problem, originating from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," where the albatross symbolizes guilt and misfortune.

Circles of Hell

the nine divisions of Hell in Dante Alighieri's "Inferno," each representing different sins and their corresponding punishments, illustrating a moral order in the afterlife.

Prometheus/Promethean

relating to the titan Prometheus, who defied the gods by stealing fire for humanity, symbolizing defiance and the quest for knowledge — was punished forever (liver was eaten by an eagle daily). Boldly creative/innovative, rebellious progress that comes at a cost

Sisyphus/Sisyphean

relating to the Greek myth where a guy was condemned to eternally roll a boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down each time he reached the top, symbolizing futile and unending labor.

Golden Calf

a biblical figure representing idolatry and worship of false gods, specifically an image created by the Israelites while Moses was on Mount Sinai, illustrating moral corruption and the dangers of misguided faith.

Satyrs

mythological creatures from Greek folklore, often depicted as having human and goat-like features, associated with revelry, music, and fertility, representative of untamed nature and indulgence.

Niobe

a figure in Greek mythology known for her excessive pride and mourning. As a result of her boasting about her children, she was punished by the gods, leading to the death of her children and her transformation into a stone that eternally weeps.

Cain and Abel

two sons of Adam and Eve, whose story illustrates themes of jealousy, sin, and the consequences of violent actions, particularly Abel's murder by Cain.

Mad Woman in the Attic

a concept explored in literary criticism, particularly in feminist literature, representing women's madness as a result of patriarchal oppression and societal confinement.

The Good Samaritan

a parable from the Bible that illustrates the importance of showing compassion and kindness to others, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries.

Catch 22

a situation where one is trapped by contradictory rules or conditions, often used to describe bureaucratic absurdities. No win scenario.

Sirens

mythical creatures who lure sailors to their doom with enchanting music and voices.

Pyrrhic Victory

a victory that comes at such a significant cost to the victor that it is almost tantamount to defeat. We won, but at what cost?

Priam/Pyrrhus (Achilles’ Son)/Hecuba

Wisdom of Solomon

a biblical proverb illustrating the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

Big Brother

a character from George Orwell's novel "1984," symbolizing excessive government surveillance and totalitarianism.

St. Patrick

A 5th-century Christian missionary and the patron saint of Ireland, known for converting the Irish to Christianity and using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. Had Power over snakes.

Faustian Bargain

a deal in which a person sacrifices their moral integrity or soul for knowledge, power, or material gain, often with tragic consequences. Exchanged soul for worldly gain.

Lot and Lot’s Wife

Biblical figures known for their story in Genesis, where Lot's wife turns into a pillar of salt after looking back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, symbolizing disobedience and the consequences of longing for a sinful past.

Hecate

Goddess of magic and witchcraft in Greek mythology, often associated with the moon, night, and the underworld. She is revered as a protective goddess and is known for her ability to provide guidance and protection in dark times. She often appears in literature as a figure representing the intersection of life and death.

Narcissus

A character from Greek mythology who became so enamored with his own reflection that he fell in love with it, ultimately leading to his demise. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and self-obsession.

the Gordian Knot

A complex puzzle or problem that appears impossible to solve. It originates from the legend of Gordius, who tied an intricate knot that was said to be untieable, symbolizing an obstacle to overcome with cleverness.