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Literary notes about IRIS (AI summary)

The term "iris" is a multifaceted element in literature, its meaning shifting with context. In classical epics, it regularly denotes the winged messenger and goddess who traverses the heavens to deliver divine messages, as seen in works where swift Iris bears orders or conveys messages between gods ([1], [2], [3], [4]). In stark contrast, many narratives focus on the literal iris of the eye, providing detailed descriptions of its color and form to reveal character or set a scene ([5], [6], [7]). Additionally, the word finds its way into architectural imagery, where an "iris door" evokes an archaic or mysterious atmosphere ([8], [9], [10]). Even in linguistic texts, "iris" appears as the past tense of "to go" in Esperanto, highlighting a verbal function that enriches language study ([11], [12], [13]). This variety of uses underscores the term’s rich versatility across literary genres.
  1. " With this Iris went her way, fleet as the wind, from the heights of Ida to the lofty summits of Olympus.
    — from The Iliad by Homer
  2. To aid her, swift the winged Iris flew, Wrapt in a mist above the warring crew.
    — from The Iliad by Homer
  3. Juno and Minerva prepare to aid the Grecians, but are restrained by Iris, sent from Jupiter.
    — from The Iliad by Homer
  4. " On this Iris, fleet as the wind, sped forth to deliver her message.
    — from The Iliad by Homer
  5. the eye is moderately large, puple black and iris of a dark yellowish brown.
    — from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis
  6. the iris of the eye is of a silvery colour and puple black.—we covered ourselves partially this evening from the rain by means of an old tent.
    — from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis
  7. the eye is of moderate size, the iris of a dark yellowish brown and puple black.
    — from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis
  8. They passed through a gloomy caricature of the Great Hall in Alexandria, through an iris, and down a long corridor lined with doors.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  9. Lights flared on the deep porch, and the old-fashioned iris door dilated to frame the black silhouette of a stocky, broad-shouldered man.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  10. The door was to his left, an iris door with eight leaves—terribly old-fashioned.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  11. Mi iros tien, kien vi iris , I shall go to that place to which you went (I shall go where you went).
    — from A Complete Grammar of Esperanto by Ivy Kellerman Reed
  12. Consequently the accusative is not used after any of these three): Li iris ĝardenon , he went to the garden ("gardenward").
    — from A Complete Grammar of Esperanto by Ivy Kellerman Reed
  13. Hieraŭ vespere mi iris al la hejmo de mia kuzo, kiu estis invitinta min al malgranda festo ĉe li.
    — from A Complete Grammar of Esperanto by Ivy Kellerman Reed

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