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Kaitlyn Pierce
Mrs. Hope
Honors World Literature and Writers Workshop
15 January 2016
Allusions in Romeo and Juliet Essay

In William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, the author embraces his ability to skillfully
utilize figurative language, specifically allusions. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeares
writing enhances the literature in numerous ways. His usage of allusions, especially ones related
to historical events, create an understanding of the interesting and suspenseful plot line that
improves the readers comprehension of the theater. He also alludes to the numerous tragedies in
Romeo and Juliet with the use of these allusions. Through the use of mythological allusions,
Shakespeare relates the characters in Romeo and Juliet to historical figures in order to
foreshadow upcoming tragedies.
Although there are many allusions exploited in Romeo and Juliet, the ones relating to
historical misfortunes truly foretell the future tragedies for Romeo and Juliet. For instance, in the
text it states, Thisbe a gray eye or so (2.4.44). The tragedy of Thisbe and Pyramus centers
around forbidden love. One night, the two lovers sneaked out to meet up with each other. Thisbe
got to the location first, but ran to hide when she saw a lion with a bloody mouth. When Pyramus
arrived and saw the blood on the ground, he figured she was dead, so decided to nobly kill
himself. When Thisbe returned to find her lover dead, she in turn killed herself. Another use of
an allusion in the text is Cleopatra, a gypsy (2.4.43). Cleopatra and Marc Anthonys story
revolves around how Cleopatra pretended to fake her death, but Marc Anthony, unaware of the

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plan, killed himself in grief. When Cleopatra found out about her lovers suicide, she decided to
take her own life as well. Both of these allusions depict a tragedy similar to what occurs in
Romeo and Juliet, in which one lover believes their partner is dead, so decides to kill himself as a
result. Then, when the other lover, who is really not dead, discovers of the death, chooses to kill
herself as well. Another example of an allusion relating to history is Dido, a dowdy (2.4.43).
The story of Dido and her lover, Aeneas, focuses on how Aeneas is tricked into leaving Dido to
follow his destiny by an evil sorceress, in which he ends up dying on his journey to complete
his fate. This results in Dido taking her life out of betrayal of Aeneas leaving her and depression
since he ended up perishing. Additionally, in the text, it states, Helen and Hero hildings and
harlots (2.4.44). This refers to Helen of Troy and Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite. Helen of Troy
had numerous suitors that were star struck by her beauty, however Menelaus ended up winning
her hand in marriage. Yet, this did not prevent Paris of Troy from seducing Helen to run away
with him to Troy, leaving her husband behind and causing the Trojan War. Eventually, Paris was
killed and Helen returned with her destined love. On the other hand, Hero and Leanders story
focused on how Leander swam across a strait every night to be with Hero in her tower. However,
one stormy night, Leander drowned in the water, never making it across. After seeing Leanders
dead body, Hero threw herself out of her towers window, ending her life as well. These three
references all connect to different romantic tragedies in history, in which a forbidden love ends
with the death of the two lovers.
Ultimately, Shakespeares utilization of allusions adds to the overall plot in Romeo and
Juliet by creating a sense of hesitancy, yet at the same time an understanding. They help create a
deeper level of emotion not only in the characters, but in the audience as well. Through the use

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of mythological allusions, Shakespeare relates the characters in Romeo and Juliet to historical
figures in order to foreshadow upcoming tragedies.