Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction, and the Drama, Vol. 2 / A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

58596

Title

Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction, and the Drama, Vol. 2 / A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume offers a comprehensive encyclopedia of characters from romance, fiction, and drama, ranging from classical mythology to 19th-century literature. Edited by Marion Harland, it provides concise sketches of famous figures like Juliet, Hamlet, and Gulliver, detailing their origins, key traits, and literary significance for readers seeking quick reference.

Summary up to 500 words

Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction, and the Drama, Volume II, by the Rev. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, serves as an extensive reference guide to the literary world, cataloging hundreds of figures from diverse genres and centuries. The text functions as a portable library, allowing readers to quickly identify the background and context of characters encountered in their reading. The volume spans mythological giants like Atlas and Briareus, biblical heroes such as St. Christopher, and iconic literary personalities including Shakespeare's tragic lovers Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote's companions, and characters from works by Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, and Lord Byron. Each sketch typically outlines the character's role, key relationships, and the source material, often citing specific authors and dates. The collection addresses historical figures and fictional archetypes, such as the 'just king' or the rogue slave Geta. While the original illustrations are absent in this edition, the detailed textual descriptions preserve the visual and narrative essence of the characters. The collection spans centuries and cultures, offering a rich tapestry of human experience as depicted in storytelling, from the heroic deeds of knights to the domestic struggles of novelists' protagonists. The scope includes topics ranging from 'Falkland' to 'Mark,' featuring entries on giants, historical tyrants like Gessler, and literary figures like Juvenal and Hogarth. The text provides a comprehensive overview of human experience as depicted in storytelling, from the heroic deeds of knights to the domestic struggles of novelists' protagonists.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Literature