Literary notes about Guise (AI summary)
Across a wide range of literary works, "guise" serves as a powerful device to denote an outward appearance that often conceals true identity or intent. It is used both to illustrate characters who deliberately adopt a deceptive or humble form—whether a warrior appearing as a churl ([1]) or an enemy masquerading as a guest ([2])—and to emphasize the contrast between external show and inner reality, as when vice hides behind the mask of virtue ([3]) or a hero transforms his look to satisfy fate ([4]). In mythic, historical, and dramatic narratives alike, this term not only describes physical disguise—as in characters donning mythical forms ([5], [6]) or divine incarnations ([7])—but also functions metaphorically to question appearances, suggesting that what meets the eye may be a shrouded manifestation of deeper, often hidden, truths ([8], [9]).
- But, go fetch thy weapons, for I see it is in the guise of a churl thou art come, and I slay nor charioteers nor grooms nor folk without arms.
— from The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge - It is Sextus Tarquin, who, an enemy in the guise of a guest, has borne away hence a triumph fatal to me, and to himself, if you are men."
— from The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Livy - Often is vice thus found allied to virtue or masking in virtue’s guise; but what matter?
— from The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova - And in three months he was restored to his former guise, and became even more comely than he had ever been before.
— from The Mabinogion - It is called ‘Pak Hĕnang,’ and its only inhabitants are the elephant-people who live there in human guise.
— from Malay Magic by Walter William Skeat - “But however near it may be,” replied d’Artagnan, “I cannot go thither in this guise.”
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - Odin dons eagle plumes to bear away this precious mead, and Jupiter assumes a similar guise to secure his cupbearer Ganymede.
— from Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas by H. A. Guerber - We should mistake did we think of him as always in the guise of absorbed student or tearful lover.
— from The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The Inferno by Dante Alighieri - His saintly look and Bráhman guise Deceived the lady's trusting eyes.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki
