Literary notes about allegory (AI summary)
In literature, the term "allegory" refers to narratives in which characters, events, and images simultaneously operate on a literal and a symbolic level, conveying deeper moral, political, or philosophical insights. Authors have employed allegory to critique societal structures, illustrate universal truths, or even explore personal quests; it can range from addressing the trivial to engaging with weighty ideals [1, 2]. Some writers draw clear distinctions between allegory and related devices like symbols and parables, while others argue that these modes of expression are virtually interchangeable when conveying layered meaning [3, 4]. Whether providing a concealed moral instruction, as seen in narratives that require thoughtful interpretation [5, 6], or serving as a rich, multi-dimensional framework for epic poetry and historical commentary [7, 8], allegory remains a versatile and enduring technique that invites readers to look beyond the surface narrative and uncover the complex ideas lying beneath.
- The New Inn and The Magnetic Lady are also penetrated with allegory of a sporadic and trivial nature.
— from The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson - The progress of the oligarchic young man told in an allegory.
— from The Republic of Plato by Plato - An allegory may be interpreted without any previous conventional agreement, but a symbol cannot.
— from The symbolism of Freemasonry : by Albert Gallatin Mackey - Between the allegory, or parable, and the symbol, there is, as I have said, no essential difference.
— from The symbolism of Freemasonry : by Albert Gallatin Mackey - Upon deliberate consideration, my judgment is, that a concealed instruction and allegory was originally intended in many of the ancient fables.
— from Bacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the Ancients by Francis Bacon - It is an allegory which teaches us that in this world man can only approximate to the full conception of truth.
— from The symbolism of Freemasonry : by Albert Gallatin Mackey - 4. Explain the allegory of the incident of the Lion.
— from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I by Edmund Spenser - First among the poetic geniuses of the Elizabethan period came Edmund Spenser with his Faerie Queene , the allegory of an ideal chivalry.
— from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I by Edmund Spenser
