Literary notes about Booty (AI summary)
The term "booty" is employed in literature to denote both the tangible spoils of warfare and the metaphorical rewards of conquest or achievement. In historical narratives and epic poetry, it frequently refers to material gains—wealth, property, and slaves captured in battle—which serve as marks of success and symbols of martial prowess [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. At the same time, authors extend the term’s meaning to include more abstract acquisitions; for instance, it appears as a metaphor for divine favor or intellectual bounty in poetical treatments [6, 7]. The word's versatility is evident across a wide range of genres—from ancient chronicles and classical epics like Homer’s works [8, 9] to more modern narratives where it embodies the allure of both plunder and personal achievement [10, 11, 12]. This enduring usage across centuries underscores its powerful role as a symbol of both physical largesse and the coveted, sometimes elusive, rewards born of struggle and conflict.
- They harried the country all round, and carried all their booty to their cave.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson - Then they carried her, killing an immense number of people; making an extraordinarily valuable booty, and gaining a famous victory.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson - It was the custom of the state to make a division of all booty which was acquired, as it were, by public piracy.
— from The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Livy - 4. Already the booty of one town is in our fort.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - A great amount of booty was obtained; and a garrison being stationed at Cales, [Pg 526] the legions were marched back to Rome.
— from The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Livy - Hence poetry is called Odin’s booty, and Odin’s gift.
— from Demonology and Devil-lore by Moncure Daniel Conway - Sense, mind, and reason--these, O Kunti's Son! Are booty for it; in its play with these It maddens man, beguiling, blinding him.
— from The Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata) - thus the vigorous combat wage; No son of Mars descend, for servile gains, To touch the booty, while a foe remains.
— from The Iliad by Homer - We took their wives and also much booty, which we divided equitably amongst us, so that none might have reason to complain.
— from The Odyssey by Homer - Oh, we see through you, John Silver; you want to play booty, that's what's wrong with you.
— from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - The spongy, swampy nature of the banks made it impossible to work the net so as to draw the booty ashore; another method was therefore adopted.
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - You are playing Booty with my clerk, are you, Copperfield?
— from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
