As a dark academic and your modern Whistledown, it is imperative that I tell you about all the literary references in this Season of Wednesday. My eyes were peeled, let me tell you!

Note: This article is spoiler-free so if you haven’t watched the new season, it’s safe for you.

1. Aunt Ophelia

Aunt Ophelia herself is a reference to one of Shakespeare’s most famous and tragic heroines.

2. Dorm Names: Ophelia, Caliban, Thisbe, & Puck

The dorm names are all Shakespeare references!

• Ophelia: From Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” She is the potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who dies a tragic death due to his mistreatment of her.
• Caliban: From Shakespeare’s play, “The Tempest.” He is the subhuman son of the sea witch Sycorax.
• Thisbe: From “Pyramus and Thisbe,” which is a tragic tale that was parodied in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
• Puck: From “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He is the loyal servant to King Oberon.

3. Iago Tower

The tower where Tyler has a showdown is named after Iago, the scheming main villain of Othello.

In the play, he orchestrates the causes Othello to kill Desdemona by planting jealousy and fake evidence. While his evil plan succeeds at first, his wife Emilia brings his treachery to light which causes his arrest.

4. Principal Dort‘s Character

Steve Buscemi’s character, Principal Barry Dort, is visually and thematically based on Poe. The principal’s office even includes a portrait of Poe!

Fun Fact: Tim Burton gifted Buscemi an Edgar Allan Poe action figure to embody the role.

There was also an Edgar Allan Poe statue in the Secret Library in Season 1.

5. The Raven Symbolism

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.” is a famous line from Poe’s poem “The Raven,” which describes an ominous raven speaking omens of death.

It is also where Nevermore Academy gets its name. Raven symbolism is everywhere in this show! From the Rave’N Dance in Season 1 to the opening ceremony wooden Raven statue in Season 2, to the fact that Wednesday and Aunt Ophelia are ravens, while Morticia is a dove. (In terms of their psychic powers)

6. “Masque of the Red Death” plotline

This Wednesday outfit alluded to the “Masque of the Red Death.”

Other references to Poe’s short stories include the names of the row boats in the “Poe Cup” from Season 1. They were as follows:

• The Black Cat (Wednesday’s team)
• The Gold Bug
• The Pit & the Pendulum
• The Cask of Amontillado

7. Bonus Literary References

• The clockwork heart was inspired by Frankenstein (1921) and perhaps, The Telltale Heart.

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