The word “devil” serves a variety of functions in literature, functioning both literally and metaphorically. In early modern drama and religious texts, it appears as a symbol of malevolence and transgression—as in the exclamatory curse of BOSOLA questioning “What devil art thou” [1] or in debates over divine creation versus demonic craft [2]. At the same time, novelists and satirists use it to add a touch of irony or colloquial emphasis, whether expressing frustration or endearment, as when a character mutters “devil take all these peasants…” [3] or is softly labeled a “poor devil” in moments of misfortune [4]. This multiplicity underscores the word’s adaptability as both an indictment of wickedness and a versatile expletive in diverse narrative contexts.