Literary notes about LACKEY (AI summary)
Literary authors frequently employ the term "lackey" to evoke images of a servile underling—often both useful and dismissible—thereby contributing layers of irony or social criticism. For instance, in adventure narratives such as d’Artagnan’s exploits, the lackey is portrayed as a dependable yet subordinate aide ([1], [2], [3]), while in works by Shakespeare the word can carry a note of derision, hinting at both physical and moral frailty ([4], [5], [6]). In other writings, from the biting observations of Dostoyevsky to the subtle humor of Chekhov, the lackey comes to symbolize not just obedience but a broader commentary on power dynamics and social hierarchies ([7], [8], [9]).
- “Pray,” said the lackey, “say nothing about it, monsieur; it is a frightful trick of the husband of our duchess!”
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - With regard to d’Artagnan, we know how he was lodged, and we have already made acquaintance with his lackey, Master Planchet.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - D’Artagnan had appointed six o’clock in the morning for his lackey, and wherever he might be, he was right.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - In a retreat he outruns any lackey: marry, in coming on he has the cramp.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - By my faith, sir, but it is; never anybody saw it but his lackey.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - [Aside to CELIA] I will speak to him like a saucy lackey, and under that habit play the knave with him.- Do you hear, forester? ORLANDO.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - “The lackey, Smerdyakov, who murdered his master and hanged himself last night.”
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - That I'm a lackey to whom you can give the last insult?
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - In one of the houses, it seemed to be the fourth, the lackey was a dry little, puny fellow, with a chain across his waistcoat.
— from The Bet, and other stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
