Literary notes about Recreant (AI summary)
The term "recreant" is often invoked to condemn acts of cowardice, betrayal, or general moral failure in literature. Writers employ it to sharply characterize individuals who abandon their duties or ideals, whether in matters of love, loyalty, or honor. In some passages, a recreant lover or protégé is scorned for choosing self-interest or weakness over commitment ([1], [2]), while in others, its use underscores a deeper disapproval of disloyalty among warriors or public figures who shirk their responsibilities ([3], [4]). Across such narratives, the word functions as a potent epithet, heightening dramatic tension by marking the speaker’s contempt for any deviation from established ethical or noble behavior ([5], [6]).
- At last Kirke's love turns to fierce hatred; she changes her garden into a desert; she calls upon Helios to come and slay her recreant lover.
— from The Standard OperaglassDetailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas by Annesley, Charles, pseud. - The recollection of Sir Ronald's words about her recreant lover—the thought of his insolent and cowardly boast stung her to the soul.
— from Kate Danton, or, Captain Danton's Daughters: A Novel by May Agnes Fleming - Y.M. Consider the man who stands by his duty and goes to the stake rather than be recreant to it.
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain - Since war and sickness had decimated his battalion he looked upon every absentee, from whatever cause, right or wrong, as a recreant deserter.
— from The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood by Arthur Griffiths - “Never,” cried he, “will I make terms with that recreant and slave.
— from Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada, from the mss. of Fray Antonio Agapida by Washington Irving - As for death, said King Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh, but to yield me unto thee as recreant I had liefer die than to be so shamed.
— from Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Malory
