AP Lit - S1 Exam Allusions

Achilles

Greek hero of the Trojan War, known for his invulnerability except for his heel.

Adam & Eve/The Forbidden Fruit

First humans created by God, according to the Bible. They lived in the Garden of Eden and were tempted by a serpent to eat the forbidden fruit.

Alas, poor Yorick

Famous Shakespearean quote, spoken by Hamlet. Reflects on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. Symbolizes the existential question of human existence.

Albatross around one’s neck

A burden or obstacle that someone carries, often self-imposed, causing difficulty or hindrance in their life or endeavors. From the Rime of the Ancient Mariner

All roads lead to Rome

Ancient saying implying multiple paths can lead to the same outcome or destination. Suggests that there are many ways to achieve a goal or reach a desired result.

Aphrodite

Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire. Known for her enchanting beauty and ability to inspire passion and desire in others. Associated with roses, doves, and seashells.

Atlas

Titan condemned to hold up the heavens on his shoulders for eternity. Condemned because Atlas didn’t help enough to win the war.

Big Brother/Orwellian

A term referring to a dystopian society where the government exercises total control over its citizens' lives, often through surveillance and manipulation.

Captain Ahab & the White Whale

Obsessed whaling captain in Moby-Dick who seeks vengeance against a giant white whale, symbolizing his own inner demons.

Daedalus & Icarus

Father and son from Greek mythology. A skilled craftsman, built wings for them to escape Crete. The son ignored warnings and flew too close to the sun, causing his wax wings to melt. He fell into the sea and drowned.

Et tu, Brute?

Famous quote from Julius Caesar. Means 'And you, Brutus?' in Latin. Uttered by Caesar when he realized his friend, Brutus, was also involved in the plot to assassinate him. Symbol of betrayal.

Jacob & Esau

Biblical twins. Jacob and Esau were sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob deceived Esau to receive his birthright and blessing.

Jonah & the Whale

Biblical story: A prophet named Jonah was swallowed by a giant sea creature after trying to avoid his divine mission. He spent three days inside the creature's belly before being released unharmed. This story teaches about obedience and the power of God's forgiveness.

Jekyll/Hyde

Refers to the characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from the novel "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson. Dr. Jekyll is a respected scientist who creates a potion that transforms him into the evil Mr. Hyde. The story explores the duality of human nature and the consequences of suppressing one's dark side.

More things in heaven and earth, Horatio

This phrase is from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It suggests that there are many unknown and mysterious things in the world that we may not fully understand.

O, brave new world!

A quote from William Shakespeare's play "The Tempest". It is spoken by Miranda, a young woman who is seeing other people for the first time. The phrase is often used to express a sense of wonder and excitement about new experiences or possibilities.

Pandora/Pandora’s Box

In Greek mythology, she was the first woman created by the gods. She was given a box as a gift but was warned not to open it. Curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the box, releasing all the evils and miseries into the world. Only hope remained inside the box. The story of is often used as a cautionary tale about the consequences of curiosity and disobedience.

Prometheus

A figure from Greek mythology. He is known for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humans, which led to their advancement in civilization. As a punishment, Zeus chained him to a rock, where an eagle would eat his liver every day, only for it to regenerate overnight. HE is often seen as a symbol of rebellion and the quest for knowledge.

Romulus & Remus

Figures from Roman mythology. They are believed to be the twin sons of the god Mars and the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia. According to the legend, they were abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf. As adults, Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome. Romulus eventually became the first king of Rome after killing his brother in a dispute over the city's location. The story of Romulus and Remus is often seen as the mythical origin of the Roman civilization.

The lady doth protest too much

This quote is from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is spoken by Queen Gertrude in response to the play within the play, where a character's wife vehemently denies her husband's guilt. The phrase is often used to imply that someone's excessive denial or defense of something may indicate the opposite is true.