Literary notes about usurp (AI summary)
In literature, "usurp" is used to convey the act of taking power or privileges by force or without rightful authority, often casting the usurper in a negative light. Its usage spans a wide range of contexts—from political intrigue and the overthrow of monarchs, as in Shakespeare’s and Marlowe’s portrayals where rightful lineage and divine law are undermined [1, 2], to more personal or metaphorical appropriations like the seizing of moral or emotional domains [3, 4]. The term frequently underscores themes of illegitimacy and moral transgression, challenging established orders whether in the state, the church, or individual identity [5, 6].