Literary notes about mirth (AI summary)
In literature, "mirth" is often depicted as an element that both unites and contrasts with human emotion. It is used to convey moments of communal joy and lightheartedness—as seen when laughter fills a court or a gathering ([1], [2], [3])—and is sometimes personified, intertwined with other qualities such as humor and witty repartee ([4], [5]). At other times, authors juxtapose mirth with sorrow or solemnity, suggesting that even amid gaiety, an undercurrent of sadness or irony may persist ([6], [7], [8]). The word also functions as a subtle commentary on social behavior or the essence of human nature, serving both as a mood marker and as a vehicle for satire or gentle ridicule ([9], [10], [11]).
- night, laughing heartily, and arming himself all the while, assisted his host with his voice from time to time as his mirth permitted.
— from Ivanhoe: A Romance by Walter Scott - This remark provoked general mirth, and the old fellow himself laughed loudest of the lot, but ended with a stupendous fit of coughing.
— from The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - With boisterous mirth they dropped upon their knees in a body and did mock homage to their prey.
— from The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain - Good Sense was the Father of Wit , who married a Lady of a Collateral Line called Mirth , by whom he had Issue Humour .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Let me play the fool; With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come; And let my liver rather heat with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.
— from The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare - How often sadness hides itself behind mirth!
— from Household Tales by Brothers Grimm by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm - This incident was too pathetic to occasion mirth—it brought tears into the eyes of all present.
— from The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. Smollett - Yes, with the setting sun the last day of mirth had passed from Merry Mount.
— from Twice-told tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne - While refusing the part of jester yourself, do not, by stiff manners, or cold, contemptuous looks, endeavor to check the innocent mirth of others.
— from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley - Let me excuse me, and believe me so, My mirth it much displeas'd, but pleas'd my woe.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - This piece of satire occasioned a great deal of mirth at Weazel's expense, who muttered a great many oaths, and threatened to cut Isaac's throat.
— from The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. Smollett
