Literary notes about ruthless (AI summary)
In literature, the word "ruthless" is consistently employed to evoke an unyielding, uncompromising force—whether in the depiction of a character’s inner brutality, as when an individual decries himself as a "ruthless beast" [1], or in the portrayal of overpowering external forces that spare nothing in their path [2]. It captures both moral decay and stark natural cruelty, exemplified by its use to describe a relentless struggle for existence [3] or to cast nature itself as an indifferent, destructive power [4]. Often appearing in moments of high drama and epic conflict, the term underscores scenes of merciless action or tyrannical behavior, lending a visceral intensity to works across genres—from revered classics to sweeping historical narratives [5, 6].
- I denounced myself as a remorseless brute and a ruthless beast.
— from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - “His rage,” they cried, “on us will fall, And ruthless, he will slay us all.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - It marked, further, the decay or going to pieces of his moral nature, a vain thing and a handicap in the ruthless struggle for existence.
— from The call of the wild by Jack London - The pillared mansion, high, compact, Must fall by Time's strong hand attacked; So mortal men, the gradual prey Of old and ruthless death, decay.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - The Emperor's court is like the house of Fame, The palace full of tongues, of eyes, and ears; The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - who glorious fell,^6 In high command; And he whom ruthless fates expel His native land.
— from Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Robert Burns
