Literary notes about abdicate (AI summary)
The term "abdicate" is used in literature to evoke the act of renouncing power, responsibility, or even a defining aspect of one’s identity. It frequently appears in narratives involving monarchs and political leaders who are compelled to forgo their thrones, as seen when a king is forced to relinquish his crown [1, 2, 3, 4]. In other contexts, writers employ the term more metaphorically—portraying the abandonment of intellectual, emotional, or social duties [5, 6, 7]. Whether describing an overt political surrender or a more subtle abdication of personal responsibility, the word carries a weight that underscores both the dramatic fall from authority and the underlying human conflict in letting go.
- What could poor Louis do? Abdicate, and wash his hands of it,—in favour of the first that would accept!
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Were Louis wise he would this day abdicate.—Is it not strange so few Kings abdicate; and none yet heard of has been known to commit suicide?
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - June 12—King Constantino of Greece forced to abdicate.
— from Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights by Kelly Miller - The end of it was that Richard was forced to abdicate the crown.
— from Richard IIMakers of History by Jacob Abbott - I, who in manhood’s name at length With glad songs come to abdicate The gross regality of strength, Must yet in this thy praise abate,
— from The Angel in the House by Coventry Patmore - To ignore the directive influence of this present environment upon the young is simply to abdicate the educational function.
— from Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education by John Dewey - The obvious irrationality of nature as a whole, too painfully brought home to a musing mind, may make it forget or abdicate its own rationality.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana
