Download TOTS Activity #1: Allusions

Name(s): _______________________________________________ Class period: _____ Date: __________________
Taming of the Shrew, Acts I & II Allusions Chart
Shakespeare’s dramas are full of allusions which are direct or indirect references to a mythological, literary, or historical person,
place, or thing. His audiences would have been especially familiar with his allusions to Greek and Roman mythology because
there was a surge of interest in classical literature at the time. He utilized allusions to enliven his characters’ dialogue and create
images to help his audiences understand the actions and themes of his plays. In Acts I and II, identify nine instances of allusion
and the speaker of each allusion. List them on the Allusion Chart and then interpret them. Make sure to state the importance of
the quote in your interpretation (consider the context of the quote AND who/what is being discussed).
“Original Allusion”
Act, Scene, Line(s); Character
Interpretation
“Let’s be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray,/
Or so devote to Aristotle’s checks/As Ovid
be an outcast quite abjured.”
Act I, Scene 1, Lines 31-33; Tranio
Tranio is advising Lucentio that he not
restrain his education by only studying
serious topics but instead study topics that
would bring him enjoyment. Thus he is
advising him to be less like Aristotle who
defined virtue as restraint and more like
Ovid who wrote stories about pleasure.
“Original Allusion”
Act, Scene, Line(s); Character
Interpretation