Literary notes about patron (AI summary)
In literature, "patron" is deployed to capture a spectrum of supportive and protective roles, from the mystical and religious to the civic and artistic. At times, the term describes an almost sacred benefactor, as when Chang Hsien is venerated as the patron of child-bearing women during the Sung dynasty [1], or when a saintly figure is celebrated as the protector of a community, like St. Mark in Venice [2]. In other instances, "patron" denotes a more personal or professional benefactor whose influence nurtures creative or scholarly pursuits, exemplified by figures who sponsor literary talents or artistic endeavors [3, 4]. Thus, the word weaves together notions of divine favor, civic duty, and cultural patronage throughout various works, underlining the vital role that such supporters play within both individual lives and broader societal narratives.
- Chang Hsien is the patron of child-bearing women, and was worshipped under the Sung dynasty by women desirous of offspring.
— from Myths and Legends of China by E. T. C. Werner - “St. Mark,” I answered aloud, “is the patron saint and protector of Venice,” and everybody began to laugh.
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - Sir William Temple (1628-1699), diplomatist and man of letters, the patron of Swift, and the husband of the letter-writing Dorothy Osborne.
— from The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb - A prince ought also to show himself a patron of ability, and to honour the proficient in every art.
— from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
