The Tale of Despereaux Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

Princess Pea's name refers to the popular fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea."

Historical References

Botticelli has the name of Sandro Botticelli, a famous painter of the Italian Renaissance.

Cultural References

  • Lyrics from "Stardust" (4.25), a famous 1927 song recorded by a lot of artists
  • Lyrics from "Deep Purple" (5.1), a song made popular in the 1960s