Do You Use Allusions?

[Andy]

If you don't know, allusions are things in a poem or story that refer to some other, previously written work, or anything that exists outside that particular piece.

For example, Shakespeare alluded to his play Hamlet when, in another play called Othello, one of the characters says "I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear". In Hamlet, pouring poison into the ear is how Hamlet's father was murdered.

So, I'm wondering if anyone here has included allusions in their own work. I've recently gotten interested in it, and I'm putting in very subtle references to old shows or books I used to watch or read. I find them fun, because you can pay homage to stuff you like, or leave interesting things for readers to find. :)

[Shaun]

Well, I did it a couple times in WISB, but I don't think it was so subtle. I think a lot of times I don't have the opportunity to have allusions, although if my science fiction universe turns out to be truly as large as I think it will be there might be opportunities to reference other works that were in that universe...might be fun that way.

[GeorgeMichael]

I often give little homages to my favorite shows or movies. In chapter 1 of my story I made a small homage to Arrested Development, I always wonder when I write them if anyone out there will ever find them... (hint hint)

[Imelda]

I have loads, and none of them are obvious. 'Cept maybe the horse Marad named after Maerad from the Books of Pellinor ...

Most of mine are more personal than to books or whatever. They're characters named after people I know, disguised in some way, or it's a phrase that was oft-used between myself and my friends. I doubt any of them will ever know. :p