Literary notes about Forfend (AI summary)
The word "forfend" has long been employed in literature as a strong interjection to ward off or curse the prospect of an undesirable event, a usage that imbues the text with a sense of urgency or solemnity. For instance, in Giovanni Boccaccio's work, the exclamation "God forfend" is directed against the idea of an unworthy exchange [1], while in Howard Pyle’s Robin Hood tales, "May Heaven forfend" and "Now Heaven forfend" emphasize a deep-seated reluctance for calamity, particularly concerning trusted allies [2][3]. This literary device is also used to heighten dramatic tension in works by Shakespeare, where phrases such as "ALL O heavens forfend!" underscore moments of intense emotional turmoil and moral reflection in Othello [4][5]. Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet similarly employ "Heaven forfend!" to punctuate moments of foreboding danger in The Three Musketeers [6]. Across these examples, "forfend" consistently marks pivotal moments where the characters fervently hope to avert an imminent misfortune.
- God forfend that her, whom He hath bestowed upon thee as upon the worthier, I should receive from thee for mine!
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - " "May Heaven forfend!"
— from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle - Now Heaven forfend that my good trusty Little John should have fallen into the hands of the King's rangers.
— from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle - EMILIA I will not charm my tongue; I am bound to speak: My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed,— ALL O heavens forfend!
— from Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare - I would not kill thy unpreparèd spirit; No,—heaven forfend!—I would not kill thy soul.
— from Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare - “Heaven forfend!” said Athos; “they may serve us.”
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
