The Allusions PDF
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The Allusions The Player‟s play Hamlet says “‟twas Aeneas‟ tale to Dido and thereabout of it especially when he speaks of Priam‟s slaughter.” (II.2.471- 474) • This story is taken entirely from Virgil‟s Aeneid, which is Aeneas telling Queen Dido of the Trojan War. “ the rugged Pyrrhus, whose sable arms, black as his purpose, did the night resemble when he lay couched in th‟omnious horse” (II.2.477-479) • Pyrrhus is Achilles‟ son. • Achilles has just been killed by Paris of Troy by being shot through the ankle with an arrow. • See, when Achilles was a baby, his nymph mother dunked him into the River Styx to make him immortal, and held him by his ankle. So his ankle was the way to kill him. The Background – why Paris killed Achilles. • When Hector is killed by Achilles, Achilles treats the body with disrespect and refuses to give it back. • Zeus sends the god Hermes to escort King Priam, Hector‟s father and the ruler of Troy, into the Achaean camp. Priam tearfully pleads with Achilles to take pity on a father bereft of his son and return Hector‟s body • Deeply moved, Achilles finally relents and returns Hector‟s corpse to the Trojans. Both sides agree to a temporary truce, and Hector receives a hero‟s funeral. Achilles further goes on to give Priam leave to hold a proper funeral for Hector complete with funeral games. He promises that no Greek will engage in combat for 11 days, but on the 12th the war would resume. Hector was Paris‟ Brother,both sons of King Priam and his wife Hecuba. DAD Mom • Priam Hecuba Queen of Troy • King of Troy Paris Hector Prince of Troy Prince of Troy Brothers “Roasted in wrath and fire, and thus o‟ersized with coagulate gore, with eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus old grandsire Priam seeks” (II.2.486-489) • So Pyrrhus figures if Paris killed his father, he would kill Paris‟ father. See? Pyrrhus is black with his intent and kills Priam. “But who, ah woe, had seen the mobled queen run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames…” (II.2.527-530) • Priam‟s wife, Hecuba is upset at her husbands death, so much so that.. • “..If the gods themselves did see her then when she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport in mincing with his sword her husband‟s limbs the instant burst of clamor that she made (unless things mortal move them not at all) would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven and passion in the gods”(II.2.438-544).
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