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Thomas Wozencraft Professor Jerome McKeever English 101H Ten Allusions 28 February 2014 Word Count: 1650 Tom Wozencraft: Ten Allusions Achilles Heel as an Allusion Son of the Greek Mortal Peleus and hero of the Trojan War, Achilles was dipped into the Styx River by his mother providing him invulnerability with the exception of one part of his body, that being the heel she held him by. This later resulted in his death when he was struck in his heel. The Achilles heel is commonly found used allusively when referring to one single vulnerability of an otherwise invulnerable object or living organism. Examples may sound such as this, Though the tank had the strongest armor the world had e ver seen even the strongest of creations always hide an Achilles Heel somewhere within, waiting to be struck by the enemy. In this example Achilles Heel is used allusively to describe a weakness in an object perceived to be of the highest strength. The tank may have been the strongest of its kind, however the speaker stands to claim that is does possess a weakness, by describing this weakness as an Achilles Heel the reader understands that this must be an incredible strong tank but somewhere does possess a vulnerability. This further supports the speakers statement and provides the reader a clear understanding.

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Works Cited Andrew Delahunty, Sheila Dignen, and Penny Stock; The Oxford Dictionary of Allusions

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Goliath as an Allusion Goliath, a character from the biblical story of David and Goliath, was a nine foot tall Palestinian soldier that struck much fear in his enemies with his enormous size. The story tells of the war between the Palestinians and the Israelites where David, a young boy soldier of the Israelites, defeats Goliath with a sling shot. Most people are familiar with this story and thus the enormous size and strength of Goliath is commonly recognized and understood. Goliath is typically found being used allusively as a way to further define a person, object, or idea that is of the greatest value or size. An example may go like this, The B-22 Bomber was the Goliath of all the Air Forces arsenal. In this statement Goliath is used allusively to describe the B -22 Bomber. As Goliath is commonly attributed to the greatest of size or strength the reader can better understand the intent of the statement. It becomes clear to the reader that the bomber is the largest of all bombers. Works Cited https://bblearn.tri-c.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2613979-dt-content-rid13701058_1/courses/ENG101HCW3O16728S14D/The-Oxford-Dictionary-of-Allusions.pdf

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Holy Grail as an Allusion The Vessel used by Jesus at the last supper believed to possess miraculous abilities. Holy Grail is commonly used allusively to describe an object, a concept, or living organism that is superior to all others of its kind. The Bugatti Veyron was the Holy Grail of all the super cars. In this example the Bugatti Veyron is given the allusion of the Holy Grail, providing the reader and understanding that the Bugatti Veyron must be the best and most elite of all the super cars. Works Cited https://bblearn.tri-c.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2613979-dt-content-rid13701058_1/courses/ENG101HCW3O16728S14D/The-Oxford-Dictionary-of-Allusions.pd

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Scrooge as an Allusion Scrooge, a character in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, was portrayed as an angry depressed individual who strived to rid the enjoyment from others. Commonly used allusively to describe an individual that possesses or exercises similar characteristics. An example would be Teddy was the Scrooge of the class as he always attempted to make fun of anyone who appeared to be happy. In this example Teddy is given the allusion of Scrooge when comparing him to his classmates. This allusion provides the reader and understanding that Teddy sought to rid his classmates of enjoyment thus must be the reason Teddy makes fun of those who appear to be happy. Works Cited http://quizlet.com/4338519/literary-allusions-flash-cards/

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Hercules as an Allusion Known in Greek mythology as the son of Zeus and Alcmene (wife to Amphitryon) Hercules possessed superhuman strength and unmatched courage. Mythology states Hercules was heroic and without fear. Hercules may be found being used allusively to describe or relate one who possesses superior strength. An example may sound like this, Hey Hercules why dont you stop lifting weights and come hang out with your friends for a change. In the example Hercules is used allusively to provide the reader an understanding that the person being addressed must resemble superior strength and ability in comparison to the speaker or those who may present. The story of Hercules or at least the description of him is widely understood thus making Hercules an excellent allusion. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules

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Pinocchio as an allusion In The Adventures of Pinocchio written by Carlo Collodi, Pinocchios was a puppet made of wood who was had become alive. The story tells of the magical boys nose stretching in length when telling a lie. As a popular story among children it is common that most people today fully understand the story of Pinocchio and his nose. This considered Pinocchio is an excellent allusion for a liar. Pinocchio may be used allusively to define an individual who is not telling the truth. An example go like this, When David told mother that he had not taken all the cookies I could have sworn his nose grew just like Pinocchios. In the example, considering the commonly understood characteristics of Pinocchio, Pinocchio is used allusively to provide the reader the understanding that David had lied, and he had done so in a manner that was obvious, just as Pinocchios nose being an obvious indication he had lied to. Works Cited http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-allusion.html

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Trojan Horse as an Allusion Used in the Trojan War the Trojan Horse was a huge wooden horse given as a gift from the Greeks to the city of Troy. The horse contained Soldiers that would infiltrate and attach once inside the city. The Horse was perceived as a gift, thus resulted in the city of troy letting their guard down and accepting the gift into the city only to be tricked and killed by the soldiers waiting inside. The Trojan horse is used allusively to depict a seemingly helpful item or service that ultimately is intended to inflict harm. An example may be this, According to the description of the software I downloaded I thought it would increase the speed of my computer but it ended being a virus, it was a Trojan Horse. In the example Trojan Horse is used allusively to provide the reader a better understanding that the Virus had been disguised with the intent of being helpful, thus causing it to be downloaded without suspicion and ultimately successfully infiltrating the computer just like the Trojan Horse did to the city of troy. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse

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Houdini as an Allusion Harry Houdini, who lived from March 24, 1874 October 31, 1926, was an illusionist who exercised the art of escape. He was known as the best when it came to the art of escape. He became popular by performing many stunts in front of large crowds such as in 1904 when thousands watched him escape from handcuffs. Houdini may be used allusively to further provide and understanding or a reference to an individual who shares the popularized abilities that Houdini possessed. More specifically the skills he was most famous for, his skills as an escape artist. One example may be and individual observing a talent show and stating When he stepped out of the cage without any of the chains or locks on that had so tightly been bound just moments ago, it was almost as though Houdini himself was standing on stage at our talent show, not the silly Jim that I knew. In the example Jim is given the allusion of Houdini. Houdini was such a great escape artist that the speakers perception of Jims abilities matches what he attributes Houdini was famous for, his art of escape. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini

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Mozart as an Allusion Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in 1756, was a famous composer who wrote over six hundred musical pieces throughout his lifetime. Many of his works become so famous they have continued to be admired by musicians and listeners to this day. Given the common understanding that Mozart was the best composer of his time influencing music way into the future, this makes Mozart is a fantastic allusion for someone who may also be described by their ability to compose or write music in a manner popularly effecting the industry. Mozart may be used allusively to better describe an individual or a piece of music that shows similar abilities or fame such as Mozart and his musical pieces did. An example may sound like this, The artist Skrillex by many is described to be the Mozart of the twenty first century. In this example Mozart is used allusively to provide the reader a better understanding of the way the speaker attempts to depict Skrillex. Not only does using Mozart allusively provide the reader the understanding that Skrillex must be a writer of music but it also provides and understanding that his popularity is influencing the music industry. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart

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Shakespeare as an Allusion William Shakespeare born in 1564 was a famous play writer and poet who wrote many extremely famous plays covering many genres of writing. One of his most famous being Romeo and Juliet which to this day is widely studies in school around the world. Shakespeare was by far the best of his time. Shakespeare may be used allusively to describe one who shares or possesses similar skills or work that shares similar fame. An example may be James Cameron by many may be considered the Shakespeare of our time writing many Popular and Famous movies such as Titanic written produced in 1955 or Avatar which his theaters in 2009. In this example the speaker provides a more clear understanding of how popular James Camerons work is by allusively using Shakespeare who is known for being the best writer of his time. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_(1997_film)