Literary Allusions in Pop Culture

Literary Allusions in Pop Culture
Biblical and Mythological Allusions

Allusions are Everywhere!
There are four major sources that artists (authors, painters, musicians, screenwriters, etc.) draw from for ideas, whether it be for a full story or for an analogy/comparison: *the Bible *mythology *history *Shakespeare

Allusions are Everywhere!
This year we are studying how three of them impact literature: *the Bible *mythology *Shakespeare

Biblical Allusions in Movies

Movies Based on Bible Stories
Old Testament Genesis: The Creation and the Flood (1994, TNT Bible Series) The New Media Bible: Book of Genesis (1979) (USA) Adam and Eve (1912) Adamo ed Eva, la prima storia d'amore (1983) (Italy) Adipapam (1988) (India) Noah's Ark (1929) Noah's Ark (1999) Evan Almighty (2007) Abraham 1994 (TNT Bible Series) Lot in Sodom (1933) Sodom and Gomorrah (1963) Zohi Sdom (2010) Jacob (1994) (TNT Bible Series) The Story of Jacob and Joseph (1974) (TV-movie)

Old Testament Joseph in the Land of Egypt (1914) Joseph (1995) (TNT Bible Series) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999) Joseph: King of Dreams (2000) - Genesis 37-50 Moses the Lawgiver (1974 TV miniseries) Moses (1996, TNT Bible Series) The Prince of Egypt, 1998 The Ten Commandments: The Musical, 2006 The Ten Commandments, 1923 The Ten Commandments, 1956 The Ten Commandments, 2006 TV series The Ten Commandments, 2007

Old Testament The Chosen Prince, 1917 (aka The Friendship of David and Jonathan) David and Bathsheba, II Samuel 11 A Story of David 1960 David and Goliath 1960 Saul and David 1964 The Story of David, (1975) TV Miniseries USA King David, I & II Samuel David (1997, TNT Bible Series) Solomon (1997, TNT Bible Series) The Queen of Sheba (1921) (USA)

New Testament The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) (USA) The Judas Project (1990) (USA) Kristo (1996) (1996) Philippine film. The Visual Bible: Matthew (1997) (South Africa) Jesus (1999, TV) (USA) Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999, TV) (USA) The Miracle Maker (2000) (UK) Gospel of John (2003) (Canada/UK) The Passion of the Christ (2004) (USA) The Big Fisherman (1959) (USA) The Visual Bible - Acts of the Apostles (1994) USA Apostle Peter and the Last Supper 2012 USA

Revelation / Apocalypse The Seventh Sign (1988) A Distant Thunder (1978) Early Warning (1981) The Prodigal Planet (1983) Revelation (1999) Six: The Mark Unleashed (2004) A Thief in the Night (1972) Tribulation (2000) Years of the Beast (1981)

The Disney movie of Snow White alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The two live happily together in the Garden of Eden, where they can live freely. God has one strict rule for the two: not to eat fruit off of the Tree of Knowledge. Satan, in the form of a serpent, draws Eve in, however, and convinces her to commit the first sin by eating the forbidden fruit. In the movie Snow White is a innocent girl who lives in the forest. An evil witch, who can be seen as representing Satan, tricks her into eating an apple, referring the forbidden fruit. The apple is poisonous, and after eating it Snow White falls into a deep sleep.

Harry Potter Peter Pettigrew = Judas The Number Twelve The Mark of God Lord Voldemort started off as a student at Hogwarts always kind of had a liking for the dark arts, but he's a lot like Lucifer the angel who fell, we now know him as Satan. Voldemort started out as Tom Riddle, but then not liking where he came from and his past history changed his name to Lord Voldemort

One Biblical allusion in The Lion King is that the entire movie is an entire allusion to the story of Moses. Simba and Moses, who were both princes, were exiled when accused of murder. While exiled, they grow to maturity until told by Mufasa/God to return to their homeland. Finally, they free their people from oppression by Scar/Pharoah. Rafiki says "You see, he [Mufasa] lives in you." Since Mufasa is representing God in the film, Mufasa lives in the heart of Simba while God lives in the hearts of Christians. Mufasa died to save Simba from the wildebeest stampede like Jesus died to save people from hell. The Good Samitarian helps an injured traveler like Timon and Pumbaa helps an exhausted Simba. Rafiki anoints baby Simba at the beginning of the film like a priest/pastor anoints a baby after being born.

Neo ("new," as in the New Adam born without sin) is the Christ figure. He embraces that reality only after he sheds himself of his image of himself as "Thomas" (the doubting apostle) Anderson (Andros meaning man, of which he is the son). As Neo, he embraces the miraculous powers that had been prophesied long before. And he was raised from the dead with a kiss of life from "Trinity" (a reference to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit -- the last of which she portrays) Of course, "Cypher" (a puzzle) is the Judas figure, who betrays not so much for money as because he has lost faith in the message he was helping to preach. The Matrix

Morpheus’ parallel in the Bible would undoubtedly be John the Baptist. In the Bible, John heralds the arrival of Jesus to the world. The scene in which Neo is “unplugged” consists of a tube that Neo falls through into water. The water represents the baptism of Christ, as facilitated by John the Baptist in the Bible. Morpheus also is told by the Oracle (a prophesying woman in The Matrix who represents Biblical prophets) that he will be the person who will free, the “One” or Neo.

Another freedom fighter who was there to “unplug” Neo is Trinity (Carrie Ann-Moss). Of course, the name Trinity has connotations to the Christian faith. It is a word that symbolizes the embodiment of a three-in-one Godhead. Trinity may represent the Mother Mary, or Mary Magdalene, because of her love for Neo. She could represent the Holy Spirit, because many people are brought to Neo by her. Morpheus’ ship, the Nebuchadnezzar is named after a biblical king who dreamt of the end times. A plague aboard the ship bears the words “Mark III, No. 11” Mark 3:11 is a biblical verse claiming Jesus the Son of God. Agent Smith’s license plate reads IS5416, meaning Isaiah 54:16; “See it is I who have created a smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose; I have also created the ravager to destroy.” Zion is the last human city on earth, paralleling the Zion of the Bible.

Biblical Allusions in Music

“Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” by The Byrds The lyrics were based on a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes in The Bible. They were married to Seeger's music to make the song. In a 1988 interview with Paul Zollo, Seeger explained: "I don't read the Bible that often. I leaf through it occasionally and I'm amazed by the foolishness at times and the wisdom at other times. I call it the greatest book of folklore ever given. Not that there isn't a lot of wisdom in it. You can trace the history of people poetically."

To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones A time to gather stones together To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” by The Byrds A time of war, a time of peace A time of love, a time of hate A time you may embrace A time to refrain from embracing To everything - turn, turn, turn There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time to love, a time to hate A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

Accentuate The Positive Lyrics Artist: Johnny Mercer

To illustrate my last remark Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark What did they do just when everything looked so dark? (Man, they said "We'd better accentuate the positive") ("Eliminate the negative") ("And latch on to the affirmative") Don't mess with Mister In-Between (No!) Don't mess with Mister In-Between (Ya got to spread joy up to the maximum) (Bring gloom down to the minimum) (Have faith or pandemonium's) (Liable to walk upon the scene) You got to ac (yes, yes) -cent-tchu-ate the positive Eliminate (yes, yes) the negative And latch (yes, yes) on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between No, don't mess with Mister In-Between Accentuate The Positive Lyrics Artist: Johnny Mercer Gather 'round me, everybody Gather 'round me while I'm preachin' Feel a sermon comin' on me The topic will be sin and that's what I'm ag'in' If you wanna hear my story The settle back and just sit tight While I start reviewin' The attitude of doin' right You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative And latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between You've got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum Have faith or pandemonium's Liable to walk upon the scene

Judas Artist: Lady Gaga The song is about falling in love with a backstabbing guy and was inspired by Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ. It's not the first time Gaga has written about falling for the wrong man. She previously sung of being attracted to someone who's not good for her in "LoveGame" and "Bad Romance."

Judas Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! GA-GA! (2x) [Verse 1] When he comes to me, I am ready I wash his feet with my hair if he needs Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain Even after three times he betrays me Ahh ah ah ah ah Ahh ah ah ah I'll bring him down, bring him down, down Ahh ah ah ah ah Ahh ah ah ah A king with no crown, king with no crown [Chorus] I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby, it's so cruel But I'm still in love with Judas, baby! I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby, it's so cruel But I'm still in love with Judas, baby! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! Juda-a-a! Judas! GA-GA! [Verse 2] I couldn't love a man so purely Even prophets forgave his crooked way I've learned love is like a brick, you can Build a house or sink a dead body Ahh ah ah ah ah Ah ah ah ah I'll bring him down, bring him down, down Ahh ah ah ah ah Ah ah ah ah A king with no crown, king with no crown [Chorus] I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby, it's so cruel But I'm still in love with Judas, baby I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby, it's so cruel But I'm still in love with Judas, baby Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Babylon's Burning by W.A.S.P. During the worldwide financial meltdown in the second half of, 2008, frontman Blackie Lawless began doing some research, which led to the genesis of what became this album. He explained in publicity materials: "I went back and did a detailed study of the Book of Revelation and refreshed my memory with some pretty amazing reading. That reading inspires powerful images. Enough for me to take those images of the 6th chapter of Revelation and the four horsemen of the apocalypse and write 'Babylon's Burning.' 'Babylon's Burning' is based on that imagery in the same way 'Headless Children' was. It's an overview of what we allow ourselves to become and the consequences that befall us for the poor choices we make."

Babylon's Burning by W.A.S.P. Listen close to hooves you hear Are thunders coming dread John the Revelator's dream Had seen a terror vision Of the spirit led With wrath to reign And with slaves to flame They kneeled and sealed a kiss Plagues and pain and fiery rain And blaspheme on his lips Babylon's a-burning, Babylon's a-burning Six hundred 6, 6 and 7 seals A pale rider and his horses sing Babylon's a-burning, Babylon's a-burning Six hundred 6, 6 the rising beast Bears the mark of Babylon to be Arising with the beast a sea of men A bloody moon of red A whore of Babylon to bleed the seed And make 'em take the mark upon their heads They bowed and kneeled a mark to seal Their souls unto a kiss With fire and flames and with Souls to claim And rise from the abyss [Revelation 13] And I stood upon the sand of the sea And saw a beast rise out of the sea Having ten horns and seven heads Ten crowns upon his head Who is like unto the beast? Given his mouth great things to speak If any man has an ear Let him hear, let him hear

Other songs with biblical allusions: Supper's Ready by Genesis There's an angel standing in the sun, and he's crying with a loud voice, "This is the supper of the mighty One", The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Has returned to lead His children home, To take them to the new Jerusalem. “Pale Horse” by Smashing Pumpkins

Mythology Allusions in Movies

Movies Based on Myths Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) Clash of the Titans (2010) Immortals (2011) Wrath of the Titans (2012) The Odyssey (1997) Hercules (1997) Helen of Troy (2003) Hercules (2005) TV miniseries

Mythological Allusions in Movies
Harry Potter Books and Movies Fluffy--the adorable three-headed dog that we met in the first book, guarding the entrance to the maze that let to the Philosopher's Stone (Or the Sorcerer's Stone, as some know it). Hagrid mentions that he got Fluffy from a “Greek chappie.” As some might know, Cerberus was a three-headed dog in Greek mythology that prevented souls from escaping Tartarus, the underworld at the Styx. Hagrid also mentioned that music puts Fluffy to sleep. Orpheus played his lyre when he went to Tartarus to get his dead wife, Eurydice, back. Cerberus let him through after listening to his music. Note that a lyre was used in PS to put Fluffy to sleep. Another thing connecting Cerberus to Harry Potter: wolfsbane/monkshood/aconite. It is believed that when the deadly white foam from Cerberus's jaws met with grass, does the plant of aconite grow. Since Cerberus was a guard to prevent the dead from escape, could that mean Fluffy has a new job coming up as the Azkaban guard? Azkaban is literally described as Hell and Cerberus/Fluffy can be the guard.

Harry Potter Books and Movies Luna Lovegood’s name “Luna” means “the Moon.” The Moon gives light in the darkness, which implies that Luna might be the one to shine in the latter books when darkness i.e. evil prevails. Minerva McGonagall is the Latin translation of Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. It's very appropriate that Minerva a.k.a. Athena is a wise teacher who guides Harry along the way.

Harry Potter Books and Movies Remus, in Roman mythology, had a twin brother Romulus and many people speculated that Remus Lupin had a twin brother, until Rowling put rest to those rumours herself. Hermione, in Greek mythology, was the daughter of Helen of Troy (the face that launched a 1000 ships) and Menelaus, king of Sparta. Although she was betrothed to Orestes, king of Mycenae, after the Trojan War Hermione married Neoptolemus, the son of the Greek hero Achilles. Orestes later killed Neoptolemus and became Hermione's second husband. Although this might seem far-fetched, maybe Hermione Granger has two men fighting over her? Viktor Krum and Ron Weasley? No killings here, just a parallel comparison of what's possible.

Harry Potter Books and Movies Cassandra Trelawney was Sibyl Trelawney's ancestor. Cassandra, in Greek mythology, was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. The god Apollo, who loved Cassandra, granted her the gift of prophecy, but when she refused to return his love, Apollo made the gift useless by decreeing that no one would believe her predictions. As for Sibyl: Sibyl, in Greek and Roman mythology, was any woman inspired with prophetic power by the god Apollo. The sibyls prophesied in a frenzied trance. Whenever Sibyl Trelawney makes a true prophecy (and of these we have read of two) she goes into a weird trance. Severus Snape = Perseus, a famous Greek who killed the Gorgon Medusa. Medusa was a Gorgon who had snakes for hair and anyone who looked into her eyes turned to stone. And in CoS, who can overlook a giant snake who can kill people by them looking at the Basilisk's eyes and managed to Petrify (turn to stone) so many people?

The Simpsons Episode 103: “Homer’s Odyssey”

Mythology Allusions in Music

Mythological Allusions in Music
Led Zeppelin “Achilles Last Stand” It was an April morning when they told us we should go As I turn to you, you smiled at me How could we say no? With all the fun to have, to live the dreams we always had Oh, the songs to sing, when we at last return again Sending off a glancing kiss, to those who claim they know Below the streets that steam and hiss, The devil's in his hole Oh to sail away, To sandy lands and other days Oh to touch the dream, Hides inside and never seen. Into the sun the south the north, at last the birds have flown The shackles of commitment fell, In pieces on the ground Oh to ride the wind, To tread the air above the din Oh to laugh aloud, Dancing as we fought the crowd continued…

To seek the man whose pointing hand, The giant step unfolds With guidance from the curving path, That churns up into stone If one bell should ring, in celebration for a king So fast the heart should beat, As proud the head with heavy feet. Days went by when you and I, bathed in eternal summers glow As far away and distant, Our mutual child did grow Oh the sweet refrain, Soothes the soul and calms the pain Oh Albion remains, sleeping now to rise again Wandering & wandering, What place to rest the search The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth The mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth From the earth... I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way I know the way, know the way, know the way, know the way Oh the mighty arms of Atlas, Hold the heavens from the earth.

Cream’s “Tales of Brave Ulysses” You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever, But you rode upon a steamer to the violence of the sun. And the colours of the sea bind your eyes with trembling mermaids, And you touch the distant beaches with tales of brave Ulysses, How his naked ears were tortured by the sirens sweetly singing, For the sparkling waves are calling you to kiss their white laced lips. And you see a girl's brown body dancing through the turquoise, And her footprints make you follow where the sky loves the sea. And when your fingers find her, she drowns you in her body, Carving deep blue ripples in the tissues of your mind. The tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers, And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter. Her name is Aphrodite and she rides a crimson shell, And you know you cannot leave her for you touched the distant sands With tales of brave Ulysses, how his naked ears were tortured By the sirens sweetly singing. The tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers, And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter.

Rush's Hemispheres album references Apollo and Dionysus. When our weary world was young The struggle of the ancients first began The gods of love and reason Sought alone to rule the fate of man They battled through the ages But still neither force would yield The people were divided Every soul a battlefield Ii. apollo: bringer of wisdom 'i bring truth and understanding I bring wit, and wisdom fair Precious gifts beyond compare We can build a world of wonder I can make you all aware'

“Home At Last” by Steely Dan is about The Odyssey. I know this super highway This bright familiar sun I guess that I'm the lucky one Who wrote that tired sea song Set on this peaceful shore You think you've heard this one before Well the danger on the rocks is surely past Still I remain tied to the mast Could it be that I have found my home at last Home at last

“Wrapped Around Your Finger” by Sting & the Police "You consider me the young apprentice/Caught between the Scylla and Charybidis" “Please, Please, Please” by Fiona Apple "I'm so tired of crying/You'd think I was a siren“

Misc. Mythological Allusions in Pop Culture

Mythological Allusions in Pop Culture
Persephone The Stephen King book Duma Key features the evil supernatural character "Perse" as the antagonist to the main character. As the novel reaches its conclusion, we learn that "Perse" is actually short for Persephone. Persephone also appears as a character in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, played by Monica Bellucci. She is the wife of The Merovingian, a powerful program that handles other programs exiled from the Matrix. In the Matrix Revolutions, they are seen together as being seated in a rave club named Club Hel, possibly a strong reference to Hel, the underworld of Norse Mythology, and Hell, the underworld in Christian Theology.

Pan Film * In The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, Pan appears as one of the attractions in the circus. He seduces Angela Benedict, the librarian, with his enticing music and even takes the form of the man she secretly admires, Ed Cunningham, the newspaper editor. Pan is one of the seven characters in the film played by Tony Randall. * Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro (Spanish title: El Laberinto del Fauno, 2006). Although the faun featured in the film is not Pan, the design was based on Pan. * Sa majesté Minor by Jean-Jacques Annaud (A French film from 2007, where Pan is a main character)

Pan Literature *Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan. He is a character sought out by all the satyrs for their quests. One of the main characters, Grover Underwood, was a Satyr who searched for Pan until he found him dying in the Labyrinth of King Minos. * The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen. * Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, Pan plays a prominent role throughout the whole plot. * "News For The Delphic Oracle," poem by William Butler Yeats, in the collection Last Poems (1939). * "Pan With Us" by Robert Frost, Poem 26 from A Boy's Will. * The Lawnmower Man by Stephen King. * The Call of Wings by Agatha Christie

Pan Music * "Pan" a song by The Veils * Pan is referenced in Stevie Wonder's song "Flower Power" from his album The Secret Life of Plants. * We Are All Pan's People, an album by The Focus Group. * "Pan and Syrinx" by the Danish composer Carl Nielsen. *“The Pan Within” and “The Return of Pan,” two songs by The Waterboys.

Pan Video Games * Pan is a high-level antagonist in the computer game Freedom Force. He plays a Pan flute that hypnotizes player characters into attacking their allies. * Pan appears in King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella as a satyr playing a magical flute with hypnotic abilities. * Pan appears as a Greek god in Dungeons and Dragons. * Pan has a supporting role in the game Rise of the Argonauts on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. * Pan appears in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow as advisor to main character Gabriel Belmont.

Can you think of other biblical or mythological allusions in pop culture?

Literary Allusions in Pop Culture

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