Literary notes about Feast (AI summary)
The word "feast" carries a range of meanings in literature, from the literal depiction of grand banquets to powerful metaphors for abundance, celebration, or even excess. In some works it designates a sumptuous meal—a setting for social revelry and communal bonding, as seen in depictions of wedding feasts and royal gatherings [1], [2], [3]. In others it takes on a symbolic or ironic hue, representing both the physical act of dining and the broader idea of life's plenitude or, conversely, its decay [4], [5]. Moreover, epic and mythological texts use the term to evoke divine assemblies or fateful moments of transformation, imbuing the feast with an air of ritual and destiny [6], [7]. Across this varied literary landscape, "feast" remains a versatile term imbued with both literal richness and metaphorical depth [8], [9].
- So on the morn they rode all three toward Pellam, and they had fifteen days' journey or they came thither; and that same day began the great feast.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Malory - "Come thou with us to enjoy the feast whereto we go, 3 for thou art a guest."
— from The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge - Here are the bride and bridegroom, here is the wise governor of the feast, he is tasting the new wine.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - But I could not get my feast to be kept to-day as it used to be, because of my wife’s being ill and other disorders by my servants being out of order.
— from The Diary of Samuel Pepys — Complete by Samuel Pepys - Nay, not, as one would say, healthy; but so sound as things that are hollow: thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - How the Queen of Orkney came to this feast of Pentecost, and Sir Gawaine and his brethren came to ask her blessing.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Malory - The remotest provinces were represented at this feast of the gods by the costliest gifts.
— from Best Russian Short Stories - "Woman, experienced as thou art, control Indecent joy, and feast thy secret soul.
— from The Odyssey by Homer - and so my state, Seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feast, And won by rareness such solemnity.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
