Final answer:
The effects of allusions in Derek Walcott's 'Midsummer' provide a sharp contrast between Shakespeare's elevated language and the reality of racial discord, challenging stereotypes and reflecting on complex social issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes the effects of allusions in the passage from Derek Walcott's “Midsummer” is that the allusions create a layered effect, embedding the poem with historical and cultural references that enrich its meaning. These allusions highlight the incongruity between the beauty of Shakespeare's language and the tension of racial discord, challenging the stereotype that black actors cannot perform Shakespeare. Rather than showing a shared language based on race or commenting on the educational system, the allusions provide sharp ironic contrast between the elevated language of Shakespeare and the violence of the riots, thereby reflecting on the complexities of race relations and cultural heritage.