Literary notes about consort (AI summary)
The term "consort" in literature assumes multiple layers of meaning, primarily referring to a spouse or an official companion in royal or divine contexts, as well as describing the act of associating with a particular group. In epic texts and classical narratives, such as in Virgil's work where a man leads his little son with his "faithful consort" ([1]), or in mythological settings where divine pairs are highlighted ([2], [3]), "consort" reinforces bonds of loyalty and formality. At the same time, the word is also employed to describe social association or even deliberate avoidance of such contact, as illustrated in discussions of mingling with crowds or the refusal to "consort with them" ([4], [5]). This versatility allows authors to evoke both the intimacy of personal relations and the cultural or political implications inherent in official partnerships.