The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions - Green Valley High School

Haman, hang as high as
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Haman, hang as high as See hang as high as
haman.
Hamlet A tortured, indecisive person. <strong>The</strong> allusion
is to the central character in William Shakespeare’s
tragedy Hamlet (c. 1600), otherwise
referred to as the prince of Denmark, who
wants to avenge his father’s murder by killing the
murderer, his uncle and stepfather Claudius, but
agonizes and procrastinates over the per for mance
and possible consequences of such action. Perhaps
the most celebrated of all Shakespeare’s
tragic heroes, Hamlet’s name has since been
applied to various individuals who have exhibited
similar qualities of self- doubt. “Had he been so,
he would have hesitated, like Hamlet, and let
irresolution mar his purpose” (Oscar Wilde, Lord
Arthur Savile’s Crime, 1909). See also ophelia;
polonius; something is rotten in the state
of denmark.
Hancock, John See john hancock.
hand, left See left hand know what your
right hand is doing, do not let your.
hand, right See if thy right eye offend thee;
left hand know what your right hand is
doing, do not let your.
hand against every man See ishmael.
hand fi ndeth to do, whatsoever thy See whatsoever
thy hand fi ndeth to do.
hand offend thee, if thy right See if thy right
eye offend thee.
hand of God See fi nger of god.
Hands, Israel See israel hands.
hands, wash one’s See wash one’s hands of.
handwriting on the wall See writing on the
wall.
hang as high as Haman (haymbn) To suffer the
fate that one has prepared for someone else. <strong>The</strong>
phrase alludes to the biblical story of Haman,
the favorite minister of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes)
of Persia who was outmaneuvered by Esther and
hanged on the very gallows he had built for the
execution of his enemy Mordecai, Esther’s father
(Esther 7:9–10). Esther’s triumph is commemorated
by the Jewish festival of Purim, when
celebrants eat triangular pastries called hamantaschen
(meaning “Haman’s purses” in Yiddish).
“And they hanged Private Simmons—hanged
him as high as Haman in hollow square of the
regiment; and the Col o nel said it was Drink;
and the Chaplain was sure it was the Dev il; and
Simmons fancied it was both, but he didn’t
know, and only hoped his fate would be a warning
to his companions” (Rudyard Kipling, “In the
Matter of a Private,” 1890).
Hanging Gardens of Babylon See eighth wonder
of the world.
Hannibal (hanibbl) A great military leader.
Hannibal (247–182 b.c.) was a Carthaginian
general who in 218 took the Romans by surprise,
leading his army over the Alps and ravaging
Italy, although he failed to take Rome itself.
Ultimately he was defeated by Scipio Africanus
at Zama in 202. <strong>The</strong> general was revered by his
troops and was ready to lead them, Hannibal- like, over
the mountains.