Cultural Allusions and Word Meaning
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as used in literary texts, including understanding references to mythology and cultural allusions (e.g., Herculean, Achilles' heel)
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain the meaning of an allusion drawn from mythology when encountered in a text, e.g. identify that 'Herculean task' means an extremely difficult task, referencing Hercules' legendary labours
- Use context and knowledge of word parts to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in a poem or story, explaining how the word contributes to tone or meaning
- Identify when an author is using a word figuratively rather than literally and explain the intended meaning in context
1 · Read
You have read words used literally and figuratively. An allusion is a brief reference to another story, a person or an event. Writers expect readers to connect the reference with the new sentence. Here you will practise references from myths.
Stories about Hercules describe twelve very difficult labors, including cleaning a huge stable in one day. A 'Herculean task' means a job requiring great effort. It can make a job sound difficult or heroic. It does not mean the job has twelve parts or that Hercules is doing it.
In one version of Achilles' story, his heel is the place where he can be hurt. Today an 'Achilles' heel' means a weakness that can cause trouble, even in someone or something with many strengths. In 'the boat is sturdy, but its leaking window is its Achilles' heel', the window is the weakness.
In Midas's myth, things he touches turn into gold. Within that story, the change really happens. In everyday figurative use, having 'the Midas touch' means being very successful at what you do, often at making money. It does not mean objects become real gold.
The Trojan horse story describes soldiers hidden in a wooden horse offered to Troy as a gift. They bring danger into the city. In figurative use, 'a Trojan horse' looks harmless or helpful but conceals danger or a trick. The new story need not contain a real horse.
'Opening Pandora's box' refers to a myth in which opening a container releases troubles. Today it means starting unexpected problems that may be difficult to control. A writer can use it to warn about a decision's possible consequences. It does not mean every problem will last forever.
Read the nearby words for clues. A name may begin with a capital, but capitals alone do not prove an allusion: ordinary names use them too. Context may give the meaning. If the reference is still unclear, check a dictionary or a reliable account of the source story, then apply its meaning to this sentence.
Read figurative comparisons as whole phrases. In 'the wind whispered as if it knew a secret', wind makes a quiet sound but does not speak or know secrets. The comparison gives it human qualities. A sound can be real while the comparison describing it is figurative.
Word parts can help too. The ending '-less' means 'without'. 'Careless' combines 'care' and '-less', meaning without care. Check that meaning against the sentence. Word choices affect tone, the feeling of the writing: words about courage can sound bold, while words about fear can sound uneasy.
Compare borrowed meanings one at a time. A Herculean task is a difficult job; a Trojan horse conceals danger. They have different meanings. In 'Jo has the Midas touch with projects, but keeping time is her Achilles' heel', projects turn out well and keeping time is a weakness. 'But' contrasts success with a weakness.
Use context, word parts and the source story to explain a phrase. An allusion borrows meaning without copying every detail.
Two readings written for this dataset. Linked video lesson: Greek mythology's greatest warrior, by Iseult Gillespie for TED-Ed.
More to read
Which part of the story travels?
Imagine someone calls lifting a fallen tree 'a Herculean task'. The phrase brings in the effort of Hercules' difficult labors. It does not say Hercules is lifting this tree, or that there are twelve trees.
An allusion briefly points outside the passage to another story, person or event. Readers use that connection to interpret the new passage.
An Achilles' heel describes a weakness. In one version of Achilles' story, his heel is vulnerable. A writer can borrow that idea for a person, a machine or a plan.
Begin with nearby words. They may show what the phrase means even if the source story is unfamiliar. A capital letter can draw your attention to a name, but it is not proof of an allusion.
If the meaning remains unclear, check a dictionary or reliable source account. Then decide which borrowed idea fits the passage.
Meaning depends on the passage
In Midas's myth, objects become gold when the king touches them. That happens within the story. In an everyday description of a successful business owner, 'the Midas touch' usually means success at making money.
Read the situation before deciding whether language is literal or figurative. An unlikely event can happen literally within a fantasy story.
Story references also affect a passage's feeling. Calling a possible decision 'Pandora's box' suggests concern about unexpected problems. Calling a job Herculean can make it sound demanding or heroic. A Trojan horse suggests concealed danger.
Word parts provide another route to meaning. The ending '-less' means without. Combine it with 'care' to get 'careless', or without care. Check whether the meaning fits the sentence.
Explain what the wording contributes here. Avoid carrying unrelated details from an old story into a new one.
Explore more
2 · Watch
Take it off screen
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.