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Literary Devices
Definition of Allegory
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The Tortoise and The Hare" is... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and events. The story of "The... read full definition
An allegory is a work that conveys a hidden meaning—usually moral, spiritual, or political—through the use of symbolic characters and... read full definition
Act 5
Explanation and Analysis—Killing the Lion:
In Act 5, Rufio justifies his killing of Ftatateeta to Caesar, spinning an allegorical tale equating Ftatateeta to a hungry lion. Rufio asks Caesar if he would punish a hungry lion simply for wanting to eat him, to which Caesar responds with the following:
RUFIO: What, then, will you do to save your life from [the lion]?
CAESAR: [promptly] Kill it, man, without malice, just as it would kill me. What does this parable of the lion mean?
RUFIO: Why, Cleopatra had a tigress that killed men at her bidding. I thought she might bid it to kill you some day. Well, had I not been Caesar's pupil, what pious things might I not have done to that tigress! I might have punished it. I might have revenged Pothinus on it.
This allegory provides the audience with a clear understanding of Caesar's moral code when it comes to killing: he will only kill if his own life is in danger but never out of malice, cruelty, or a misplaced sense of duty in administering justice. Despite his position of power, Caesar does not feel entitled to the god-like privilege of adjudicating life and death. Caesar's mercy influences and inspires Rufio, who only kills Ftatateeta because she is a threat to his life and the lives of others.
Related Themes:
