allégoria

Allégoria is a rhetorical and literary device in which a narrative, discourse, or image conveys a meaning beyond the literal surface. The term comes from the Greek allēgoria (from allos "other" and agoreuein "to speak"), and it entered Latin and modern languages through classical and medieval scholarship. In practice, allégoria is closely related to allegory: through characters, events, or settings, a surface story communicates a second, hidden meaning that is often moral, political, or spiritual in nature.

Applications and forms include fables, sermons, poetry, and prose in which symbolic figures or actions stand for abstract ideas, social forces, or ethical principles. Allégoria may be explicit, presenting a clear parallel between the tale and its intended meaning, or subtle, inviting readers to infer the underlying message.

Historical usage spans ancient Greece and Rome, where allegorical interpretation and narrative allegory appeared in various genres, to medieval Christian writers who used allegorical readings of scripture. In the Renaissance and later periods, the technique persisted in poetry and political writing, adapting to contemporary concerns while preserving its instructional function. In modern literature and critique, allégoria often serves to explore moral questions, critique power structures, or illustrate universal truths without direct confrontation.

See also: allegory, symbolism, metaphor.