Literary notes about TROLL (AI summary)
In literature the term troll is used to evoke a creature of formidable and often supernatural power, one that can be both grotesque and menacing as well as metaphorically rich in symbolism. Many narratives depict trolls as multi-headed monsters launching violent attacks or posing dire threats to heroes—for instance, a three-headed beast charging from the woods [1] or a creature whose presence alone endangers lives [2, 3, 4]. At times the word extends beyond its literal monster, serving as a playful metaphor or even a descriptor in everyday language, as when it refers to fishing or witty banter [5, 6, 7, 8]. This varied usage underscores how the figure of the troll embodies untamed forces in nature and the uncanny, while also providing a vehicle for subtle humor and cultural commentary.
- Very soon afterwards they came to the end of the wood, and the Troll with three heads came rushing up to them.
— from The Red Fairy Book - The Princess begged him very prettily to go lest the Troll should devour him; but Halvor said, ‘Let him come when he will.’
— from The Red Fairy Book - Then he grasped his sword and struck at the Troll, so that all his ten heads danced away over the sands.
— from The Red Fairy Book - It will now cost us a battle for life or death, for this Troll has six heads and is twice as strong as the other, but do be careful to keep the leaf.’
— from The Red Fairy Book - The whole crowd took turns at rowing, and when the lake was reached Sam and Hans got out their fishing outfits and started to troll.
— from The Rover Boys Down East; or, The Struggle for the Stanhope Fortune by Edward Stratemeyer - Thou makest me merry; I am full of pleasure: Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch You taught me but while-ere?
— from The Tempest by William Shakespeare - Let us be jocund; will you troll the catch You taught me but while-ere?
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - V. rotate; roll along; revolve, spin; turn round; circumvolve[obs3]; circulate; gyre, gyrate, wheel, whirl, pirouette; twirl, trundle, troll, bowl.
— from Roget's Thesaurus by Peter Mark Roget