Flattery  

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'''Flattery''' (also called '''adulation''' or '''blandishment''') is the act of giving excessive compliments, generally for the purpose of ingratiating oneself with the subject. '''Flattery''' (also called '''adulation''' or '''blandishment''') is the act of giving excessive compliments, generally for the purpose of ingratiating oneself with the subject.
-Historically, flattery has been used as a standard form of discourse when addressing a [[monarch|king]] or [[queen regnant|queen]]. In the [[Renaissance]], it was a common practice among writers to '''flatter''' the reigning monarch, as [[Edmund Spenser]] flattered [[Queen Elizabeth I]] in ''[[The Faerie Queene]]'' and [[William Shakespeare]] flattered [[James I of England|King James I]] in ''[[Macbeth]]''.+Historically, flattery has been used as a standard form of discourse when addressing a [[monarch|king]] or [[queen regnant|queen]]. In the [[Renaissance]], it was a common practice among writers to '''flatter''' the reigning monarch, as [[Edmund Spenser]] flattered [[Queen Elizabeth I]] in ''[[The Faerie Queene]]'', [[William Shakespeare]] flattered [[James I of England|King James I]] in ''[[Macbeth]]'' and [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] flattered [[Lorenzo II de' Medici]], ruler of [[Florence]] and [[Duke of Urbino|Duke]] of [[Urbino]], in ''[[The Prince]]''.
-Flattery is also used in [[pick-up line]]s used to attempt to initiate romantic courtship.+Flattery is also used in [[pick-up line]]s when attempting to initiate romantic courtship.
-Most associations with flattery, however, are negative. Flatterers are sometimes described by pejorative phrases, such as "suck-up", "ass-kisser", or "brown-noser". Negative descriptions of flattery range at least as far back in history as [[The Bible]]. In the [[Divine Comedy]], Dante depicts flatterers wading in human excrement, stating that their words were the equivalent of excrement, in the 8th Circle of Hell.+Most associations with flattery, however, are negative. Negative descriptions of flattery range at least as far back in history as [[The Bible]]. In the [[Divine Comedy]], Dante depicts flatterers wading in human excrement, stating that their words were the equivalent of excrement, in the [[Circle of hell#Eighth Circle (Fraud)|8th Circle of Hell]].
An insincere flatterer is a [[stock character]] in many literary works. Examples include [[Gríma Wormtongue|Wormtongue]] from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Goneril]] and [[Regan]] from ''[[King Lear]]'', and [[Iago]] from ''[[Othello]]''. An insincere flatterer is a [[stock character]] in many literary works. Examples include [[Gríma Wormtongue|Wormtongue]] from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Goneril]] and [[Regan]] from ''[[King Lear]]'', and [[Iago]] from ''[[Othello]]''.
 +
 +Historians and philosophers have paid attention to flattery as a problem in ethics and politics. [[Plutarch]] wrote an essay on "How to Tell a Flatterer from a Friend." [[Julius Caesar]] was notorious for his flattery. In his [[Praise of Folly]], [[Erasmus]] commended flattery because it "raises downcast spirits, comforts the sad, rouses the apathetic, stirs up the stolid, cheers the sick, restrains the headstrong, brings lovers together and keeps them united."
"To flatter" is also used to refer to artwork or clothing that makes the subject or wearer appear more attractive, as in: "To flatter" is also used to refer to artwork or clothing that makes the subject or wearer appear more attractive, as in:
-:* The King was pleased with the portrait, as it was very flattering of his girth.+* The King was pleased with the portrait, as it was very flattering of his girth.
-:* I think I'll wear the green dress because it flatters my legs. +* I think I'll wear the green dress because it flatters my legs.
==See also== ==See also==
* [[Appeal to flattery]] * [[Appeal to flattery]]
-* [[Shakespeare's sonnets#Dedication to Mr. W.H.]]+* [[Ingratiation]]
-* [[The Faerie Queene]]+* [[Love bombing]]
-* [[Color analysis|Flattering colors]]+* [[Superficial charm]]
-* [[Cape Flattery]], disambiguation page+* [[Sycophancy]]
-* [[Blarney Stone]]+
-* [[Affection]]+
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Flattery (also called adulation or blandishment) is the act of giving excessive compliments, generally for the purpose of ingratiating oneself with the subject.

Historically, flattery has been used as a standard form of discourse when addressing a king or queen. In the Renaissance, it was a common practice among writers to flatter the reigning monarch, as Edmund Spenser flattered Queen Elizabeth I in The Faerie Queene, William Shakespeare flattered King James I in Macbeth and Niccolò Machiavelli flattered Lorenzo II de' Medici, ruler of Florence and Duke of Urbino, in The Prince.

Flattery is also used in pick-up lines when attempting to initiate romantic courtship.

Most associations with flattery, however, are negative. Negative descriptions of flattery range at least as far back in history as The Bible. In the Divine Comedy, Dante depicts flatterers wading in human excrement, stating that their words were the equivalent of excrement, in the 8th Circle of Hell.

An insincere flatterer is a stock character in many literary works. Examples include Wormtongue from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Goneril and Regan from King Lear, and Iago from Othello.

Historians and philosophers have paid attention to flattery as a problem in ethics and politics. Plutarch wrote an essay on "How to Tell a Flatterer from a Friend." Julius Caesar was notorious for his flattery. In his Praise of Folly, Erasmus commended flattery because it "raises downcast spirits, comforts the sad, rouses the apathetic, stirs up the stolid, cheers the sick, restrains the headstrong, brings lovers together and keeps them united."

"To flatter" is also used to refer to artwork or clothing that makes the subject or wearer appear more attractive, as in:

  • The King was pleased with the portrait, as it was very flattering of his girth.
  • I think I'll wear the green dress because it flatters my legs.

See also




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