Literary notes about unwitting (AI summary)
In literature, the word "unwitting" is often employed to convey a sense of inadvertence or unintentional involvement in events, imbuing scenes with irony or pathos. Its use ranges from characters apologizing for an unplanned remark, as when a speaker asks pardon for his unwitting speech [1], to more dramatic instances where a deed is carried out unknowingly, such as a hand that kills without intent [2]. The term can also highlight the oblivious nature of individuals caught up in fate—for instance, a character depicted as a computer enthusiast unaware of the chaos surrounding him [3]—or serve to underscore how someone becomes an involuntary agent in larger conspiracies or tragic turns of events [4]. This versatility allows "unwitting" to enrich narratives by blending themes of innocence, responsibility, and the unforeseen consequences of actions.
- "Sir," said Pembroke, rising and advancing, "you are very welcome, and I ask pardon for my unwitting speech."
— from The Mississippi Bubble How the Star of Good Fortune Rose and Set and Rose Again, by a Woman's Grace, for One John Law of Lauriston by Emerson Hough - Thus, unaware, the deed was done: My hand, unwitting, killed thy son.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - This unwitting person was a computer enthusiast named Richard Andrews who lived near Joliet, Illinois.
— from The Hacker Crackdown: Law and Disorder on the Electronic Frontier by Bruce Sterling - Thus the friar becomes the unwitting instrument of the very thing which he is trying to prevent.
— from The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson
