Literary notes about agape (AI summary)
The term agape in literature is remarkably versatile, serving both as a vivid descriptor for a physical state of astonishment and as a symbolic reference to communal love. In many narratives, it literally portrays characters with mouths wide open in awe, shock, or incredulity—as when a character is described "with his mouth agape" in astonished wonder ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5]). Other passages extend its meaning beyond mere physicality, evoking the spirit of communal or divine love, as in discussions of early Christian agape feasts and love feasts ([6], [7], [8], [9]). This dual usage underscores both a human reaction of being overwhelmed and a broader cultural or religious commitment to open-hearted fellowship.
- All this time the Corn Engrosser had been staring at Robin, his mouth agape with wonder.
— from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle - The door of the clerk's office stood agape and through the opening came musty, snuffy smells of old leather and dry-rotted deeds.
— from Back Home: Being the Narrative of Judge Priest and His People by Irvin S. (Irvin Shrewsbury) Cobb - He bowed to Larkin, who stood with mouth agape and eyes popping out.
— from Aces Up by Covington Clarke - As Roger stood with mouth agape he was thrilled by a sensation he had not before experienced.
— from The Forbidden Trail by Honoré Morrow - He stood there in dismay, his arms swinging, his eyes staring, his mouth agape.
— from Complete Original Short Stories of Guy De Maupassant by Guy de Maupassant - Pæd. ii. 4 (p. 194) treats it as applying to social gatherings; and again Tertullian says of the agape, Apol.
— from St. Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon by J. B. Lightfoot - For a time the agape coincided with the eucharist , which, at its origin, was clearly funerary in its intention.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - In the 4th century the celebration of the Agape and Supper at the grave was still frequent.
— from Church History (Volumes 1-3) by J. H. (Johann Heinrich) Kurtz - “The Church has been enjoined to assemble this afternoon for the Agape, and our bishop, [pg 73] Castor, is absent at this critical juncture.
— from Perpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213 by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould