Literary notes about Portent (AI summary)
In literature, “portent” is often employed to signal an omen or warning of momentous events, imbuing narratives with a sense of foreboding and supernatural significance. Classical works use it to underscore disasters or prophetic warnings—as when a dire event is couched in the language of evil portent or mythical prodigy [1], [2], [3]. At times, authors associate it with mysterious natural phenomena or magical signs that defy ordinary explanation, casting a spell of awe and trepidation over characters and readers alike [4], [5]. In other contexts, “portent” evokes personal introspection or psychological anxiety, suggesting that even an ordinary glance might reveal a hidden, dangerous truth [6], [7]. Its versatility is further highlighted in scholarly lexicons and epic narratives, where it bridges tangible omens with the ineffable marvel of fate [8], [9].
- And it saw the first completed disintegration of the Empire in the successful revolt of Hyrcania—an event of evil portent.
— from The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 6: Parthia The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by George Rawlinson - Forthwith he sent an eagle, the most unerring portent of all birds that fly, the dusky hunter that men also call the Black Eagle.
— from The Iliad by Homer - “A greater omen, and of worse portent, Did our unwary minds with fear torment, Concurring to produce the dire event.
— from The Aeneid by Virgil - This period contains first a direct allusion to the magical portent of the lilava .
— from Argonauts of the Western Pacific by Bronislaw Malinowski - V. A death-portent which is often confused with the Gwrach y Rhibyn, yet which is rendered quite distinct by its special attributes, is the Cyhyraeth.
— from British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions by Wirt Sikes - He checked himself, and was silent, staring before him, as though he had seen a portent.
— from The Forsyte Saga, Volume I. by John Galsworthy - "But did your reverence hear of the portent that was seen last night?
— from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - whence Φόβητρον, ου, τό, something which inspires terror; terrific prodigy or portent, Lu. 21.11.
— from A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament by William Greenfield - portento m portent, prodigy, phenomenon.
— from Doña Perfecta by Benito Pérez Galdós
