This document discusses intertextuality and how it functions as a literary technique in drama. It defines intertextuality as the connections between related works of literature that influence interpretation. Various intertextual figures are described, including allusion, quotation, calque, translation, parody, pastiche, appropriation, and adaptation. Steps for identifying and analyzing intertextuality in a text are provided. Archetypes are also discussed as inherently intertextual, with examples like Superman and Hercules both possessing superhuman strength.

1. Understanding
Intertextuality
as a Technique of Drama

2. Intertextuality Defined
Intertextuality is the interconnection between similar or
related works of literature that reflect and influence a
reader’s interpretation of the text. It is a literary device
that creates an interrelationship between texts and
generates related understanding in separate works. The
term “Intertextuality” was developed in 1966 by the
French semiotician Julia Kristeva. She created the term
from the Latin word “intertexto” which means to
intermingle while weaving.

3. Plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty and
a breach of journalistic ethics. In academia and
industry, it is a serious ethical offense, punishable
due to prejudicial causes such as copyright
infringement.
In the 1st century, the use of the Latin word “plagiarus”
(kidnapper) to denote stealing someone else’s work was
pioneered by the Roman poet Martial, who complained that
another poet had “kidnapped his verses”.
Plagiary, a derivative of plagiarus, was introduced into English
in 1601 by dramatist Ben Jonson during the Jacobean Era to
describe someone guilty of literary theft.

4. INTERTEXTUAL FIGURES include:
1. Allusion is a figure of speech, in which an
object or circumstance from unrelated context
is referred to covertly or indirectly. If the
allusion is explicitly stated (as opposed to
indirectly implied), it is usually termed a
reference.
2. Is a reference to another text more like an
inspiration.

5. Example of Allusion

6. TYPES OF ALLUSION
 1. Literary Allusion
 2. Biblical Allusion
 3. Historical Allusion
 4. Cultural Allusion

7. 2. Quotation is the repetition of one
expression as part of another one,
particularly when the quoted expression is
well-known or explicitly attributed by
citation to its original source, and it is
indicated by quotation marks.

9. 3. A calque or loan translation is a word or
phrase borrowed from another language by
literal, word-for-word or root-for-root translation.
When used as a verb, to “calque” means to borrow a
word or phrase from another language while
translating its components, so as to create a new
lexeme in the target language.

11. 5. Translation is the communication
of the meaning of a source language
text by means of an equivalent
target-language text.

14. 6. A parody (also called spoof or lampoon) is
a work created to imitate, make fun of, or
comment on an original work – its subject,
author, style, or some other target- by means
of satiric or ironic imitation.

16. 7. Unlike parody, pastiche celebrates
rather than mocks, the work it imitates.
The word pastiche is a French cognate of
the Italian noun pasticcio, which is a pie
filling mixed from diverse ingredients.

20. 8. Appropriation is a reworking or re-imagination of
a well-known text, to change or extend its meaning. For
example, Marcel Duchamp’s artwork, L.H.O.O.Q. is an
appropriation of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Duchamp took
an image of the painting and drew a moustache on it.
The adaptation or reuse of a certain work to
other style of text makes an exiting text to a new
different form or context.

22. 9. Adaptation. A film, TV, drama or
stage play is based on a written work.
For example, J.K. Rowling’s Harry
Potter has a film adaptation.

24. Steps in Identifying and Analyzing Intertextuality
1. Read the passage to identify any clear intertextual
references to literature, music, art, film or another
text type.
2. Research or use your own knowledge of the text
you have identified and find any themes or
messages that can be linked to your current text.

25. Steps in Identifying and Analyzing
Intertextuality
3. Determine the significance of using the
reference.
- How does it compliment the author’s intended
message?
- Does it deepen your current understanding and
perspective of the text?
4. Discuss your insights.

26. An archetype [ar-ki-tayp] is a character, event,
situation or theme that resembles another. Thus,
by definition, an archetype is essentially
intertextual. For example, Superman is an
archetype of Hercules. Both possess superhuman
strength, and both have a weakness.

29. Direction: Identify the character or story being referred to by the
following archetypes in the table below. The first one is done for you.
Write your answer in the column on the right. An item can have more
than one answer.

30. Direction: Test your understanding of the lesson by
completing the statements below.
1. Intertextuality is a technique in drama that involves the
useof______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________.
2. An archetype may be used as an intertextual technique
because____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________.