Allegory

Definition

Allegory is a narrative technique where characters, events, and details symbolize deeper meanings or abstract concepts, often moral, spiritual, or political in nature. This literary device allows authors to convey complex ideas and messages through symbolic figures and actions, making it a powerful tool in various literary genres and historical contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Allegory was widely used in medieval literature to impart moral and religious teachings, particularly in works like 'The Divine Comedy' and 'Piers Plowman'.
2. In the context of Arthurian legends, allegory often highlights themes of chivalry, virtue, and the struggle between good and evil.
3. Many morality plays from the medieval period employed allegorical figures to represent virtues and vices, making complex moral choices accessible to audiences.
4. Dante's 'The Divine Comedy' is a prime example of allegory, where characters like Virgil and Beatrice represent reason and divine love, respectively.
5. Chaucer's works also contain allegorical elements, where characters may embody specific traits or social critiques relevant to the societal context of the time.

Review Questions

• How does allegory enhance the themes presented in medieval literature?
  • Allegory enhances themes in medieval literature by allowing authors to present complex moral and spiritual lessons through symbolic narratives. For instance, in works like 'Piers Plowman', the use of allegorical characters enables readers to engage with intricate ideas about virtue and vice more easily. This technique not only makes the stories more relatable but also invites readers to reflect on their own moral choices within a broader societal context.
• Compare the use of allegory in Dante's 'The Divine Comedy' with its application in Arthurian legends. What purposes do they serve?
  • In Dante's 'The Divine Comedy', allegory serves as a means of exploring the soul's journey toward God, with characters representing different aspects of morality and theology. In contrast, Arthurian legends often utilize allegory to highlight chivalric ideals and the quest for honor. Both forms use allegorical elements to engage readers on multiple levels—Dante focusing on spiritual enlightenment while Arthurian tales address social values and ethical conduct within a feudal system.
• Evaluate the impact of allegorical techniques on the development of medieval drama and its thematic expressions.
  • Allegorical techniques significantly impacted medieval drama by enabling playwrights to convey profound moral lessons while appealing to the audience's understanding of good and evil. In morality plays, characters personifying virtues like Patience or Justice made abstract concepts tangible and relatable. This approach not only educated viewers but also reflected the societal values of the time, demonstrating how literature served as both entertainment and moral instruction during the medieval period.

Related terms

Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, often used to convey deeper meanings in literature and art.

Didactic Literature: A type of literature intended to instruct or teach, often employing allegorical elements to convey moral lessons.

Fable: A short story that typically features animals as characters and conveys a moral lesson, often using allegorical elements.