Literary Allusions to Folk Tales
Shakespeare, King Lear:
“Fie, foh and fum,
I smell the blood of a British man”
Original:
“Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman, Be he alive, or be he dead I’ll grind his bones to make my bread”
The BFG:
The dream the BFG gives to the Fleshlumpeater gives him nightmares of Jack, the giant killer:
“Jack is the only human bean all giants is frightened of. […] They is absolutely terrified of Jack. They is all hearing that Jack is a famous giantkiller”.
Task: What is the impact of the allusions to Jack and the Beanstalk? Why do you think the writers have chosen to make them? What are they trying to imply about characters?
The impact of the allusions to Jack and the Beanstalk in the given examples is that they evoke a sense of familiarity and cultural reference for the audience. By referencing well-known folk tales, the writers are able to tap into the collective consciousness and create a connection between the characters in their works and the archetypal figures from folklore.
In the case of Shakespeare's King Lear, the allusion to "Fie, foh and fum" from Jack and the Beanstalk serves to characterize the character speaking those lines as a menacing and monstrous figure. The use of this well-known phrase immediately creates an association with giants, who are often depicted as fearsome and threatening. By using this allusion, Shakespeare is implying that the character is dangerous and ominous.
Similarly, in Roald Dahl's The BFG, the allusion to Jack, the giant killer, serves to enhance the threat and fear associated with him. By describing Jack as the only human that all giants are terrified of, the writer is implying that Jack possesses exceptional strength, wit, or powers, which make him a formidable opponent for the giants. This allusion also helps in building up the tension and anticipation surrounding Jack's potential appearance in the story.
Overall, the writers have chosen to include these allusions to Jack and the Beanstalk in order to add depth and layers of meaning to their characters. By referencing familiar folk tales, they are able to tap into the reader's pre-existing knowledge and associations, thus enriching the understanding and interpretation of the characters and their motives.