Literary notes about great (AI summary)
The term "great" is versatile in literary usage, serving to amplify both physical magnitude and abstract significance. It can underscore effort or emotion, as when a character labors with "great pains" to perfect his speech [1] or experiences "great agitation" in a moment of distress [2]. At times it describes imposing structures or numbers—illustrated by a "great castle" with its surrounding ditch [3]—while in other contexts it imparts moral or spiritual weight, as in the caution against committing a "great sin" [4]. Additionally, the word elevates status or destiny, appearing in references to noble individuals and significant events that underscore the scale of historical or epic endeavors [5][6][7].
- I would be loath to cast away my speech; for, besides that it is excellently well penn'd, I have taken great pains to con it.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - And then walked up and down the little shop in great agitation.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - He built there a great castle of turf and stone, dug a great ditch around it, and built a church and several houses within the castle.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson - This angry regret for another person's goodness, even his brother's, was charged upon him by God as a great sin.
— from The City of God, Volume II by Bishop of Hippo Saint Augustine - This sovereignty may do evil; it can be mistaken like any other; but, even when led astray, it remains great.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - The great sire with joy Beheld, but with a sign forbade the boy.
— from The Odyssey by Homer - [Lat][Martial]; "great is the glory for the strife is hard"
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget
