Allusions, by definition, are literary devices with casual references to other people, places, or events in history and literature; however, the Swiss author Friedrich Durrenmatt relies on the classical device not only to connect stories but also to support his views of life in the plot of the play The Visit. The comedy follows the inhabitants of Güllen, a crumbling German village, and their succumbing to temptation when billionaire Claire Zachanassian returns and offers a billion dollars for salvation. However, she calls for the death of the most popular man in town, as well as her former lover, Alfred Ill, for denying a paternity suit when she was seventeen. Originally apathetic, the city slowly grows in "debt and prosperity" (49), causing Ill to panic and call for authority figures to arrest Claire and prevent her death, to no avail. Reflecting his ever-changing view of life, Durrenmatt, born in 1921 in Switzerland, created The Visit to represent the central theme that money would corrupt even the most morally strong, in the case of the Master. Classic literary strategies prove essential not so much to drive the plot, but to enable a deeper understanding of the individual within a society. In The Visit of Friedrich Durrenmatt the author uses allusions to strengthen the characterization of the challenge to fate; the perversion of religious motifs juxtaposes the growing corruption and happiness of the city. Compared to the rich Claire Zachanassian, Durrenmatt relies heavily on classical Greek mythology to not only characterize it indirectly but also to satirize humanity by subverting said Greek elements. Claire Zachanassian, similar to the Greek ploy of the deux ex machina, suddenly bursts in to save the vilified city, b...... middle of paper ...... The Visit to characterize the individual as well as question the strength of morality. The Master repeatedly refers to Claire Zachanassian, the prostitute-turned-billionaire, as prominent figures in Greek mythology to exemplify his power and to further distance the audience from the "vengeful goddess". The implications of Oedipal techniques collectively connect citizens through the association of corruption; characterizing Ill as a Christ figure also serves to counteract weakening principles as money truly shows its influence. Ironically, however, although Durrenmatt has constantly reworked his works as a reflection of life, he relies on quintessential literary strategies to illustrate that human morality, though weakened, is timeless and present in all lives. Allusions in The Visit are essential to clearly portray feelings and structure.