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
- Virgil, Book 6 of the Aeneid (1.1.82-83) and Book 4 (4.5.10)
- Seneca, Agamemnon (3.1.1-11, 3.13.6)
- Seneca, Troades (3.13.12-13)
- Lucan, Pharsalia (3.13.19)
- Seneca, Oedipus (3.13.35)
- Commedia Dell'arte (4.1.164-66)
- Sophocles, Ajax (4.4.80)
Historical References
- Nero, Roman Emperor (4.1.87-89)
Mythological References
- Acheron (1.1.19, 4.4.216, 4.5.42)
- Charon (1.1.20)
- Cerberus (1.1.30)
- Minos, Aeacus, and Rhadamanthus (1.1.33, 3.13.142)
- Myrmidons (1.1.49)
- The Furies (1.1.65, 3.13.112, 4.5.28)
- Ixion and the Turning Wheel (1.1.66, 4.5.34)
- The Elysian Green (1.1.73)
- Pluto and Proserpine (1.1.76, 3.13.110-120, 4.5.13)
- Pallas Athena (1.3.20)
- Pan and Marsyas (2.1.16)
- Philomela and the Nightingale (2.2.50)
- Phlegethon (3.1.50)
- Cherubin (3.8.18)
- Ariadne (3.10.89)
- Hercules (3.13.111)
- Orpheus (3.13.117, 4.5.23)
- Phoebe and Flora (4.1.148)
- Charybdis and Scylla (4.4.215)
- Tityus (4.5.31)
- Chimera (4.5.36)
- Sisyphus (4.5.40)
Biblical References
- Revelation 18 (4.1.195)