Literary notes about Crown (AI summary)
The term “crown” in literature functions as both a concrete emblem and a powerful metaphor, evoking images of sovereignty, honor, and the ultimate reward. It can be seen as a literal adornment in fairy-tale scenes—a golden crown worn by a radiant bride or resting atop a majestic head [1, 2, 3]—while concurrently symbolizing the abstract ideals of achievement and legitimacy, as when it denotes the peak of human potential or the supreme accolade in life's endeavors [4, 5]. In political and historical narratives, it underscores authority and the legal or divine right to power, ranging from royal investitures to the formal endorsement of state actions [6, 7, 8]. This dynamic usage underscores how the crown, whether shining on a head or representing the pinnacle of glory, remains a versatile literary motif intertwining beauty, duty, and transcendence.
- A beautiful girl, with a golden crown on her head, and long, shining hair, gave him her hand; and his father said, "See what a bride you have won.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - They glittered at first like silver, then like gold, and when she placed them on the heads of the old people each flower became a golden crown.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen - The seventh gate let her forth, and restored to her the great crown on her head.’
— from Demonology and Devil-lore by Moncure Daniel Conway - Man is the highest outcome of this class, the “crown of creation.”
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget - In the struggle of light with darkness we attain the crown of our endeavours.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - When he is praying for pardon, he is all the while perfectly determined to keep his crown; and he knows it.
— from Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth by A. C. Bradley - [Presenting his petition] Against my master, Thomas Horner, for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete