Cowardice
Acres, Boba swaggerer lacking in courage. [Br. Lit.: The Rivals]
vainglorious braggart, vaunts achievements while rationalizing faintheartedness. [Br. Lit.: Every Man in His Humour]
slang insult used toward the timid. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 322]
pathetically lacks courage. [Br. Lit.: The Fair Maid of Perth]
to hit a man while he is down. [Fr. Folklore: Espy, 62]
king of the forest has yellow streak up back. [Am. Lit.: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]
always leads the retreat and is the first to hide from the enemy. [Br. Opera: Gilbert and Sullivan The Gondoliers]
“the better part of valor is discretion.” [Br. Lit.: I Henry IV]
young recruit, in his first battle, runs away in terror. [Am. Lit.: Stephen Crane The Red Badge of Courage]
during Mexican war, ran when action began. [Am. Hist.: Espy, 183]
poltroon claiming credit for another’s feat. [Ital. Lit.: Orlando Furioso]
rogue who in several adventures proves to be a great coward. [Fr. Lit.: Rabelais Gargantua and Pantagruel]
always removes himself a safe distance from his master’s combats. [Span. Lit.: Cervantes Don Quixote]
homeloving and fearful of death, reluctant to combat the pirate band. [Br. Opera: Gilbert and Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance]
played in British Army to expel dishonored soldier. [Br. Music: Scholes, 885]
foolish suitor repulsed by widow with household utensil. [Br. Lit.: Ralph Roister Doister]
stock character in commedia dell’arte; boastful poltroon. [Ital. Drama: Brewer Dictionary, 967]
color symbolizing cowardice. [Western Culture: Misc.]
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.