Literary notes about gore (AI summary)
The term “gore” is remarkably versatile in literature, functioning both as a visceral portrayal of bloodshed and as a proper noun that designates characters or locales. In many works, it vividly describes scenes of brutal battle or carnage, where landscapes, armor, and even the very earth are stained with the red aftermath of conflict [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. At the same time, “Gore” appears as a surname or geographic designation, anchoring narratives in a tangible historical or social context—whether it is Captain Gore entrusted with command or regions and districts bearing the name [9][10][11][12][13]. This dual application underscores the richness of the word, allowing it to evoke both physical violence and a deeper, character-driven symbolism across a wide array of literary genres.
- It was not long ago that I expected not a bettering of any woes for ever, when, doomed to blood, this best of all houses stood all stained with gore.
— from The Story of Beowulf, Translated from Anglo-Saxon into Modern English Prose - Which, dyed in many a battle, bore Great spots of slaughtered victims' gore.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - 70 From the high-minded hero, then, helmet and burnie Were speedily loosened: the ocean was putrid, The water ’neath welkin weltered with gore.
— from Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem - The current was seething With blood and with gore (the troopers gazed on it).
— from Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem - The cave, tho’ large, was dark; the dismal floor Was pav’d with mangled limbs and putrid gore.
— from The Aeneid by Virgil - It writhes!—it writhes!—with mortal pangs The mimes become its food, And the seraphs sob at vermin fangs In human gore imbued.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - Each arrow through a giant tore A passage, and besmeared with gore, Pursued its onward way and through The air with flamy brilliance flew.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse; Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub'd in blood, All in gore-blood.
— from The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - Frank is much pleased with the prospect of having Captain Gore under his command.
— from The Letters of Jane Austen by Jane Austen - Mr. Gore was singularly reserved and grave in the presence of slaves.
— from My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass - One of the "districts" of Upper Canada was called after Governor Gore.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - Mr. Gore told him that he would give him three calls, and that, if he did not come out at the third call, he would shoot him.
— from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass - At an early period, the whole was known by the graceful appellation of Gore Vale.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding
