Literary notes about largesse (AI summary)
Largesse in literature is frequently invoked to convey themes of generosity and the distribution of wealth, whether as royal munificence or as a symbolic act of favor. It appears in contexts describing both the expectation and the actual bestowal of gifts—from subtle hints of taboo entitlement in the exchange between superior and subordinate [1] to sweeping declarations of lavish bounty among knights and followers [2], [3]. At times the word takes on a figurative, almost poetic quality, as when its imagery is used to liken abundant, radiant beauty to a shower of gifts [4] or to animate natural abundance [5]. Moreover, largesse underscores the social expectations of beneficence and the power dynamics inherent in patronage, reflecting both historical practices and a timeless ideal of liberality [6], [7], [8].
- They naturally and inevitably expect and take tips, the largesse of their recognized superiors.
— from From Dublin to Chicago: Some Notes on a Tour in America by George A. Birmingham - So the Caliph laughed at them and ordered them a thousand dinars each, and they went away, rejoicing at the largesse.
— from A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments, Now Entituled the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 05 (of 17) - The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of “Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!”
— from Ivanhoe: A Romance by Walter Scott - Wickedly, like a shower of largesse, the clustered glory of her hair rained from her head, catching her in a net of smoldering brightness.
— from The Garden Without Walls by Coningsby Dawson - We quicken with largesse of life, and spring with vivid mystery.
— from Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore - Noblesse —or, at any rate, largesse — oblige .
— from The Book of Susan: A Novel by Lee Wilson Dodd - Then she clad him in a rich habit and gave him much money, bidding him be lavish of largesse to the household of the Khalif, when he went in to him.
— from The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume I - Thou hast with favours overwhelmed me, benefits and largesse ✿ And gracious doles my memory ne’er ceaseth to retrace.
— from A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments, Now Entituled the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 08 (of 17)
