Name
_______________________________________________________________________Date____________________
Allusion Worksheet
*Allusion is a reference to some famous event, person, place, or artistic work, which is not
explained by the writer but relies on the reader’s familiarity with what is mentioned.
*Allusions are a type of metaphor, comparing one thing to another.
*The most popular literature used as sources for allusions are “The Bible,” Shakespeare, and
mythology. What does that tell you? ….You must be well-read in order to understand many
allusions.
*The purpose of allusions is to allow the reader/viewer to understand new information by
connecting it to something already known.
*Example—Sally had a smile that rivaled that of Mona Lisa. Since everyone is familiar with
the painting, they can imagine what Sally’s smile looks like.
*Example—I’m standing there on a balcony in summer air…little did I know that you were
Romeo…so I sneak out to the garden to see you… Taylor Swift’s song “Love Story” is an allusion
to Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet.
Directions: Each set of sentences below contains an allusion. Identify the allusion, then
explain what the author wants you to understand from the allusion.
1. The three-year-old jumped out of the tub, leaving murky, dingy water in his wake. Staring
into the tub, his dad exclaimed, “Wow, it’s like the Boston Tea Party in there.”
Allusion_______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning______________________________________________________________________________________
2. He poured his heart out in the love letter to his girlfriend. The letter was as poetic as if
Shakespeare himself had written it.
Allusion_______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning______________________________________________________________________________________
3. I hoped to sign the birthday card our team bought for Coach, but I couldn’t find a spot to
sign my name because someone went all John Hancock on it.
Allusion______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “I don’t know if this store carries shoes in your size, Sasquatch,” my dad joked when we
went shopping for another new pair of shoes, my second pair in two months.
Allusion______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Doug showed off his new gold watch to his friend Rachel. “Nice watch, Jay Z!” Rachel
gushed.
Allusion_______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. The rock was so heavy even Hercules would have a hard time moving it.
Allusion_______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning______________________________________________________________________________________
7. Harriet Tubman was the “Moses” of her people.
Allusion_______________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning_______________________________________________________________________________________
8. She fell for him, knowing well that he is nothing less than a Casanova.
Allusion_________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning________________________________________________________________________________________
9. For those on a strict, weight-loss diet, desserts become a forbidden fruit.
Allusion_________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning_________________________________________________________________________________________
10. After my dad took a pay cut at work, Mom became a Scrooge, never letting us spend
money unless it was absolutely necessary.
Allusion__________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning__________________________________________________________________________________________
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! Write five sentences making allusions to characters or events from
the following categories.
11. TV______________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Movies_________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Books__________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Songs___________________________________________________________________________________________
15. History_________________________________________________________________________________________
