Literary notes about goliath (AI summary)
The term "Goliath" frequently symbolizes an overwhelming force or a daunting challenge in literature. It hearkens back to the biblical giant—whose fearsome physical stature and formidable presence set the stage for confrontations between opposites—as in the classic retellings where its size is enough to dwarf even the bravest contenders ([1], [2]). At the same time, writers repurpose the image to denote anything colossal or dominant, whether it’s a massive machine taunting on the road ([3]), a looming architectural edifice ([4]), or even an imposing figure in public controversy ([5], [6]). This flexible metaphor, drawn from ancient lore, thus continues to capture imaginations by representing anything that appears insurmountable, echoing the timeless struggle between David and his Goliaths ([7], [8]).
- And there went out a man baseborn from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Geth, whose height was six cubits and a span: 17:5.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - [337] David himself was also an excellent marksman, as the destruction of Goliath by the means of his sling sufficiently testifies.
— from The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England Including the Rural and Domestic Recreations, May Games, Mummeries, Shows, Processions, Pageants, and Pompous Spectacles from the Earliest Period to the Present Time by Joseph Strutt - The whistle sounded again and the tractor-truck with the portable mooring mast lurched into motion and the Goliath moved slowly ahead.
— from Air Monster by Green, Edwin, active 1880-1932 - That’s a good name for this Goliath’s palace.”
— from A Word, Only a Word — Complete by Georg Ebers - The great Goliath of controversy in that day was Doctor Eck, who challenged the Saxon monk to a public disputation at Leipsic.
— from Beacon Lights of History, Volume 06: Renaissance and Reformation by John Lord - For long years he had made the people believe that Walpole was a Goliath of corruption, and that he was the incorruptible David.
— from Lord Chatham, His Early Life and Connections by Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, Earl of - What man so valiant, though as Goliath of Gath, would not thy valour have encountered with, while many despised thy youth?
— from The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers Intermixed with Several Remarkable Occurrencs. by William Sewel - So, you see, I can sit up here and send my little David out anywhere to strike down a huge Goliath.
— from The Dream Doctor by Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin) Reeve
