allegory etymology

Etymology

The word "allegory" comes from the Greek word "allegoria," which means "speaking indirectly." It is derived from the verb "allegoreein," meaning "to speak in symbols."

Meaning and Origin

Allegory is a literary device in which a narrative or image represents a second, hidden, or symbolic meaning. It uses concrete objects, characters, or events to convey abstract ideas, morals, or spiritual truths.

Allegory has its origins in ancient Greece, where it was used in drama, poetry, and philosophy. Notable examples of early allegories include Homer's "The Odyssey," which contains allegorical references to the hero's journey and the struggle against temptation.

In medieval literature, allegory flourished as a means of conveying religious and moral teachings. Allegorical works such as Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy" and John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" used allegory to represent the journey of the soul towards salvation.

Over time, allegory became less prevalent in literature, but it still appears in modern works to convey complex ideas or explore universal themes.

Key Features of Allegory

• Double meaning: Allegories have two levels of meaning, a literal and a symbolic one.
• Symbolism: Allegories use concrete objects, characters, or events to represent abstract concepts.
• Didactic purpose: Allegories often aim to teach a moral or spiritual lesson.
• Open to interpretation: The symbolic meaning of an allegory is not always explicit and can be open to multiple interpretations.

allegory relate terms

• agora

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• forum

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• allegorical

  Etymological Meaning Allegorical comes from the Latin word allegoricus which in turn

• allegory

  Etymology The word allegory comes from the Greek word allegoria which means speakin

• amphigory

  Etymology From Ancient Greek ἀμφιγορία amphigoria meaning double meaning

• fable

  Etymology The word fable derives from the Latin fabula which itself is derived from

• parable

• figure

  Etymology The word figure comes from the Latin word figura which means shape for

• macabre

  Etymology Latin macaber Old French macabre Middle French macabre English macabre

• etymology

  Etymology Meaning The historical development and origin of a word or language The stu

• ensign

  Etymology Middle French ensine from Late Latin insignia neuter plural of insigni

• style

  Etymology The word style originated from the Latin word stilus which means a pointe

• story

  Etymology The word story comes from the Middle English word storie which in turn com