"Th' Helmet o' Salvation..."See in text(Chapter III)
The phrase "Th' Helmet o' Salvation" is a Biblical reference to Isaiah 59:17 in which the Lord placed a "helmet of salvation upon his head." In the Roman Catholic Church, priests wear an amice—a white piece of cloth—around their shoulders to represent this helmet.
"T' Brooad Way to Destruction..."See in text(Chapter III)
Here is another biblical allusion in which "T' Brooad Way to Destruction" refers to Matthew 7:13: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it."
"Seventy Times Seven, and the First of the Seventy-First..."See in text(Chapter III)
The phrase “Seventy Times Seven, and the First of the Seventy-First" is a biblical reference to Christ's answer when asked how many times men can be forgiven.
In today's usage, the word "Pharisee" is a derogatory term for someone is seen as self-righteous or hypocritical. Originally, a Pharisee was someone who belonged to a Jewish sect and who strictly observed traditions of Hebrew law.
According to the Old Testament, God chose to save Noah and his family from the flood that would destroy all of earth's peoples and all of their sins. Noah and his sons are considered the ancestors of all races.
In another biblical allusion, Lot received a warning from God that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed because of the townspeople's sins. Lot and his family fled. However, Lot's wife disobeyed God's orders by looking back and she was turned into a pillar of salt.
In another biblical allusion, Jonah disobeyed God's orders when he fled the city of Ninevah instead of preaching the importance of repentance. In turn, he was swallowed by a whale. Three days later, he emerged from the whale unscathed.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Milo was a Greek athlete who tried to tear a split tree into two. His hand got stuck in the tree and unable to escape, was eaten alive by wolves. Catherine suggests through this allusion that those who try to split her and Heathcliff apart will suffer the same fate and be destroyed.
The phrase "labour of Hercules" refers to Hercules's twelve labors outlined in ancient Greek mythology. In this legend, Hercules, provoked by Hera's magic spell, kills his wife and children. In order to repent, Hercules visits the Oracle at Delphi. There, King Eurystheus instructs him to complete ten tasks as punishment for his actions. Since Hercules received aid on two of the tasks, he completed a total of twelve labors.
The phrase "so as by fire" is a biblical allusion to Corinthians 3:15: "If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire." The phrase suggests that Joseph has been purified through religion.
The "Slough of Despond," meaning the "swamp of despair," is an allusion to the bog in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress that sinks the protagonist for his sins. Here, the allusion serves as a frequent literary reference to describe a deep depression.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Titans were the predecessors of the Greek gods. In contemporary usage, the word "titan" refers to someone who is very powerful or large in stature.
