When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- David and Goliath (3.8)-Biblical figures; in a battle between the Philistines and Israelites, the giant Goliath was slayed by the young man David
- Sir Kay (4.8)-King Arthur's foster brother and one of the first Knights of the Round Table
- Lancelot (4.8)-one of the Knights of the Round Table who had an affair with Queen Guinevere
- The Curse of Ham (10.7)-in the Book of Genesis, a punishment inflicted by Noah on Canaan, the son of Ham (who was himself the son of Noah) which made Canaan a slave
- Judas (18.53)-one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles who betrayed Jesus to the chief priests
Historical References
- Napoleon (6.17)-19th-century French emperor who first rose to power during the French Revolution
- Krakatoa (10.6)-Indonesian volcanic island that erupted in 1883
- Sons of Liberty (11.81)-an organization originating in Boston to protest a tax on stamps
- Captain John Smith (14.40)-English explorer who led the Virginia colony at Jamestown
- Pocahontas (14.40)-daughter of Native American Indian chief Powhatan who is thought to have saved the life of Captain John Smith upon his capture by Powhatan
Pop Culture References
- "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" (11.84)-song of congratulations dating to the 18th century