GRM - Mythical Allusions in Greek and Roman Poetry Lesson

Allusions are figures of speech that refer to people, places, events, literary works or figures, myths, art, etc. The last unit contained a few modern day allusions to mythology. However, allusions can also occur in literature. Take a look at this poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Note all of the allusions in his work. 

 

To Helen - By Edgar Allan Poe

 Helen, thy beauty is to me

      Like those Nicean barks of yore

That gently, o'er a perfumed sea,

      The weary, way-worn wanderer bore

      To his own native shore.

 

On desperate seas long wont to roam,

      Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face,

Thy Naiad airs have brought me home

To the glory that was Greece, 

And the grandeur that was Rome

 

Lo, in yon brilliant window-niche

How statue-like I see thee stand, 

The agate lamp within thy hand, 

Ah! Psyche, from the regions which

Are Holy Land!

 

Did you identify the mythical Allusions in Edgar Allen Poe's poem? Check your answers below: 

Helen: This allusion to Helen could be a reference to Helen of Troy, who was said to be the daughter of Zeus.

Naiad: In Greek mythology, Naiads are water nymphs who live in lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains. 

Psyche: The personification of the human soul who married Cupid, the god of love.

Orpheus

 Take a look at the poem below. The poem contains an allusion to Orpheus in the following handout. 

Orpheus

Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountain tops that freeze

Bow themselves when he did sing:
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung; as sun and showers

There had made a lasting spring.

Everything that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,

Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing, die.

-William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Links to an external site.Click here to read "Orpheus" Links to an external site.

Greek and Roman Mythology Review

Before completing the final assessments, please take some time to review the readings from this unit, as well as study all presentations and in-text activities.

Study the following: 

• Greek Creation Myth
• Book 9 of The Odyssey
• Book 1 of The Aeneid
• The Trojan War
• Hercules
• Persephone
• Romulus & Remus
• Monsters
• Apollo & Daphne
• Pygmalion
• Cupid & Psyche

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS