Allusions With Reference To Vulcan In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Authors often times use allusions to deepen the understanding of their work. In the tragedy Hamlet, Shakespeare uses allusions to inadvertently reveal hidden emotions and meaning.The allusions allow Hamlet to self-reflect and assess his situation. They also indirectly reveal his thoughts and emotions. One significant allusion is the reference to Vulcan. Within Hamlet, many allusions are utilized including an allusion to the Roman god Vulcan. Although there are many purposes for allusions in Hamlet, the most significant is that they serve to motivate Hamlet in his quest for revenge. In Shakespeare's tragedy, He utilizes the similarities between Hamlet and Vulcan. In order to be able to fully take advantage of an allusion, the reader must understand the history behind it. Vulcan, the Roman counterpart of the Greek deity Hephaestus, was the god of fire and volcanoes, often portrayed as crippled and with a blacksmith's hammer in hand.Vulcan began to be worshiped in very early Roman history. It is told that Vulcan is the son of Zeus and Hera. Vulcan was …show more content…

“ And my imaginations are as foul as Vulcan's stithy” ( 3.2.89) With this allusion the Vulcan's stithy, Hamlet is talking about his thoughts after seeing Hamlet Sr. ghost. Hamlet is referring to his angry, fiery mindset since Vulcan is the god of fire. He is recognizing the resemblances between himself and Vulcans mindset. In this quote, Hamlet references Vulcans foul stithy which is essentially a smithy or place of stiths (anvils) where Vulcan created all his weapons for the gods.Hamlet is making a comparison -- to be as foul as Vulcan's stithy is to be as dirty and sooty as the mother of all blacksmith's workshop. This set the tone for Hamlet's mind for the rest of the play. Hamlets parallel this to foreshadow tragic events. Shakespeare's allusions amplify one's appreciation for the complexity of the

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