Literary notes about seer (AI summary)
The term “seer” is used to denote characters with an extraordinary capacity to perceive hidden or divine truths—a role that spans religious, epic, and poetic literature. In many ancient narratives, a seer is a prophetic guide who interprets omens and forecasts events to assist heroes and rulers, as seen in narratives where their insights shape destinies ([1], [2], [3]). In sacred texts, the seer often functions as a divine intermediary, relaying messages that come directly from God or the gods ([4], [5], [6]). Moreover, literature sometimes employs “seer” metaphorically to evoke a heightened perception of beauty or truth, transcending mere physical sight and emphasizing inner vision and creative insight ([7], [8]). This multifaceted portrayal underscores the seer’s timeless and cross-cultural significance as both a prophet and a visionary.
- Her, rushing on, the seer assailed With a loud cry of hate; And thus the sons of Raghu hailed: “Fight, and be fortunate.”
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - Such future scenes the all-righteous powers display By their dread seer, and such my future day."
— from The Odyssey by Homer - Then Ráma asked the mighty seer: “What is the tumult that I hear Of waters cleft in mid career?”
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - And the Lord spoke to Gad the seer of David, saying: 21:10.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Now in time past in Israel, when a man went to consult God, he spoke thus: Come, let us go to the seer.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - And Amasias said to Amos: Thou seer, go, flee away into the land of Juda: and eat bread there, and prophesy there.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - I met a seer, Passing the hues and objects of the world, The fields of art and learning, pleasure, sense, To glean eidolons.
— from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman - He is a seer—he is individual—he is complete in himself—the others are as good as he, only he sees it, and they do not.
— from Complete Prose Works by Walt Whitman