The term allusion as defined by The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics is “an indirect reference, a hint, or a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned.” Wikipedia explains the definition in even more detail by stating that an allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication.” As a figure of speech, a writer uses an allusion in his or her writing to help the reader make a deeper, more symbolic connections to the character or part of the story, by giving the reader a reference to something that he or she knows a little or a great deal about from past experience. William Shakespeare uses allusions throughout his romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and if the reader is schooled on ancient Greek mythology, the play takes on a much more exciting and interesting meaning.
