Literary Device - Allusion
An allusion is a reference or mention to a figure or event from
an outside source, factual or fictitious. Most literary allusions
hinge on references to religious or mythological tales, other
published literary works, and historical or political happenings.
Example: Milhouse from The Simpsons on falling in love:
“It was just like Romeo & Juliet, only it ended in
tragedy.”
What type of allusion is contained in the example above?
How does this statement employ irony to create intended humor?
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus”
William Carlos Williams
According to Brueghel
when Icarus fell
it was spring
of the year was
awake tingling
near
sweating in the sun
that melted
the wings' wax
a farmer was ploughing
his field
the whole pageantry
the edge of the sea
concerned
with itself
unsignificantly
off the coast
there was
a splash quite unnoticed
this was
Icarus drowning
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” –
Author’s Purpose
• What do you recall about the story of Icarus and his wings
made of wax? What type of allusion is contained within
both the painting and the poem?
__________________________________________
The Greek myth of Icarus concerns a young boy and his
father taking flight using manmade wings of wax. Despite
__________________________________________
his father’s warning, Icarus flies too high and the sun melts
__________________________________________
the wings of wax - causing Icarus to fall to his demise.
_________________________________________
• Write a brief description of the scene depicted in the
painting:
__________________________________________
In the painting there is a man plowing fields in the center of
__________________________________________
the composition. To the left, there are ruins of a fortress and
a city on the edge of the sea. To the right, there is a sailing
__________________________________________
ship, a man fishing, and two legs sticking out of the water.
__________________________________________
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” –
Author’s Purpose
• In which season or time of year does Icarus’ fall occur
according to both the poem and the painting?
Spring
_________
• Reread Williams’ poem and determine the reaction of
the various entities to the fall of Icarus:
Entity
Reaction
A farmer…
Unaware; plowing…
The year…
Awake, but oblivious…
The sea…
Self-concerned…
The sun…
Indifferent; melts wax…
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” –
Author’s Purpose
• What two words are directly used within the poem to
describe Icarus’ fall?
unsignificantly and __________
unnoticed
____________
• How is this idea communicated within the painting?
(Hint: Focus on both foreground and background details.
What is the major focus of the painting in terms of
composition?)
In terms of both picture composition and light/dark contrast,
__________________________________________
Brueghel’s painting contains the lower half of falling Icarus
__________________________________________
as almost an afterthought. The figures and landscape
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
features accentuated by the composition and lighting do not
__________________________________________
include the flailing legs of Icarus as a major focal point.
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” –
Author’s Purpose
• What are the author’s and painter’s purpose or artistic
theme within the poem and painting? (Hint: Look closely
again at the title and consider its full implications.)
__________________________________________
Both the poet and the painter are expressing an age-old and
grim truth: Despite personal defeat the world still moves
__________________________________________
forward, for the most part not impacted by individual tragedies.
__________________________________________
• How does the allusion to Icarus provide an effective
framework for this message or theme?
__________________________________________
Most individuals who are culturally aware have some
knowledge of the Icarus myth and it consistently carries
__________________________________________
significant connotations. Every human being understands
__________________________________________
the elation and danger in soaring “too close to the sun.”
__________________________________________
Answer the essay question below:
• In both Pieter Bruegel’s and William Carlos
Williams’ “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus”,
mankind’s true relationship with and
importance within the larger world is
explored. In a well-organized response,
complete with text evidence, described
painting details, and relevant commentary,
examine how the painter and poet utilize a
mythological allusion to communicate their
artistic message.
Red – Major Writing Task
Blue – Minor Insights/Instructions