Literary notes about Distraught (AI summary)
The term “distraught” is frequently employed by writers to capture a state of profound emotional disarray and overwhelming grief. In epic narratives, such as in the works translated from the Rámáyan, the word vividly portrays characters drowning in sorrow or turmoil, as when a brother is seen “distraught with woe” [1] or a king’s thoughts are so troubled that his entire being appears consumed by despair [2]. In classical literature, both ancient and more modern, “distraught” is used to depict not only personal anguish, as seen in the lamentations of a tormented soul [3], but also the disoriented behavior of individuals during crisis moments, such as characters reacting against the chaos around them [4, 5]. The term thus functions as a powerful descriptor that encapsulates inner torment, rendering visible the struggle between hope and despair in the human condition.
- But when Śatrughna standing nigh Saw his dear brother helpless lie, Distraught with woe his head he bowed, Embraced him oft and wept aloud.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - By pangs of bitter grief assailed, The long-armed monarch wept and wailed, Half dead a while and sore distraught, While Ráma filled his every thought.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - And beneath, the dark earth shook and bellowed when the Titanian root was cut; and the son of Iapetus himself groaned, his soul distraught with pain.
— from The Argonautica by Rhodius Apollonius - He stood on the steps of the Karenins’ house like one distraught, and did not know what to do.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - He could distinctly see the distraught yet angry expression on the faces of these two men, who evidently did not realize what they were doing.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy
