Literary notes about Ravening (AI summary)
In literature, the adjective "ravening" is frequently employed to evoke a sense of uncontrolled, devouring ferocity. It appears when describing both literal beasts and metaphorical human passions. For instance, it characterizes a fierce, untamed animal instinct as in the depiction of a ravening she-wolf that licks her prey dry [1] or a ravening hunger that turns on its very sustenance [2]. In many texts, the term is used to transform enemies into voracious predators—be they literal wolves or metaphorical ones—as seen in warnings against inwardly ravening false prophets [3][4]. Moreover, the imagery of ravening flames, beasts, and even seas [5][6] imbues narratives with an aura of violent, consuming power, underscoring the relentless and sometimes brutal nature of both physical and emotional conflicts.
- The ravening she-wolf knew them, And licked them o'er
— from Lays of Ancient Rome by Baron Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay - Or ravening hunger canst thou bear which erst On its own flesh hath fix'd the deadly tooth?
— from The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Vol 1 (of 2) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge - 15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
— from Bible Animals; Being a Description of Every Living Creature Mentioned in the Scripture, from the Ape to the Coral. by J. G. (John George) Wood - Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - In gold-hued mail 'against war's attacks, Each bore a sword and battle-axe, The royal host, where'er these came, Fell as if burnt with ravening flame.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - The 'hungry, ravening sea,' had swallowed her up, and we were left to mourn her guiding hand—her royal presence.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
