Allegory
Allegory
Allegory (/əˈlɛɡəri/; from Greek ἀλληγορία, allēgoría, "veiled language, figurative") is a narrative form in which the characters or events represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Allegory has been used widely throughout the histories of all forms of art, largely because it can readily illustrate complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners.
Etymology
The term "allegory" derives from the Ancient Greek word allēgoría, which means "veiled language, figurative". The word is a combination of allos, meaning "other", and agoreuein, meaning "to speak in public". The term is first attested in the works of Homer and was widely used in literary texts, including those of Plato and Aristotle.
Types of Allegory
There are many types of allegory. Some of the most common include:
- Fables or Parables: A short story that illustrates a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters.
- Political Allegory: An allegory that represents political situations or events.
- Religious Allegory: An allegory that represents religious concepts or stories.
- Literary Allegory: An allegory that is used within a literary work to represent abstract ideas or principles.
Related Terms
- Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
- Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
- Analogy: A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
See Also
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