Final answer:
Horace uses allusions for comparisons when referencing well-known people and literary figures to explain hypocrisy. An allusion is a direct reference to another work, person, or event, used by writers to give further meaning or context. Unlike similes and metaphors, it does not use 'like' or 'as' but relies on the audience's recognition of the reference.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since Horace uses the names of well-known people and literary figures to explain hypocrisy, he is using allusions for comparisons. An allusion is a reference to another work of literature, person, or event in history. This rhetorical device allows writers to give further meaning or context to a situation or character by drawing parallels with something familiar to the reader or audience.
Horace, in his satirical works, used allusions to criticize societal norms and behaviors, much like his contemporary Juvenal, who delved into the hypocrisy of his time through harsh satire. Through allusion, a poet like Horace links the fictional characters or the subject of his criticism with real-life counterparts, enhancing the reader's understanding and the impact of his message. Similar to metaphors and similes, an allusion offers a comparison, but it does so by direct reference rather than using 'like' or 'as.'
The effectiveness of allusions depends on the reader's knowledge of the references made. When executed well, it adds depth and universality to a literary work, enriching the reader's experience.